Christmas came to a premature end in a village after vandals ripped the lights from its centrepiece tree.

A Christmas tree on Market Hill, Coggeshall, had been decorated with lights and a star to celebrate the festive season.

But the decorations have been removed on safety grounds after the tree was vandalised in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Nearby residents early loud noises in the centre of the village between 3am and 4am, but it was only later in the day that the damage was discovered.

The tree and light display is organised each year by the Coggeshall Chamber of Trade, which purchased new lights this year.

Chamber of Trade chairman Hazel Picknell-Stride, who runs Norman’s Sweet Shop in Stoneham Street, said: “We won’t be able to afford to replace the ones we have just replaced.

“It is a very unfortunate and very un-Christmassy act which is disappointing for the community and visitors who come here to shop and dine.”

Essex Police confirmed it was investigating after it received reports of several incidents of criminal damage in the village, which took place at about 3.25am on Boxing Day.

A spokesman said: “Police received calls from a member of the public reporting a window had been smashed at a house in Church Street.

“Other properties are understood to be damaged on Market Hill.”

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.