VANDALS have trashed a charity Christmas tree, adorned with lights grieving friends and relatives had dedicated to the memory of their loved ones.

They cut the wires and removed and smashed the light bulbs of the St Richard's Hospice Lights of Love Christmas tree, which stands at St Andrew's Spire, Deansway, Worcester.

More than 670 people had dedicated the lights on the tree to loved ones, helping to generate £12,000 for the Rose Hill hospice that cares for patients and families living with life-threatening illnesses.

"It's a real shame that anyone can be this thoughtless and not respect other people's memories," said Tricia Cavell, St Richard's fund-raising manager.

"Not only had the vandals cut the wires on the lights, but they had taken the time and trouble to remove most of the bulbs and smash them.

"The lights have been dedicated and mean a great deal to all those individuals who are celebrating or remembering a loved one. When something like this happens, it brings back all those raw memories."

The Lights of Love were switched on following a service at Worcester Cathedral attended by 1,000 people on Friday, November 19. The tree has been put up at St Andrew's Spire, each Christmas, for the past three years, after being moved from its former position in Angel Place due to vandalism.

"It's not just any Christmas tree, it's special and there are boards around it explaining what it is and what it stands for," she said.

It is believed the vandals struck some time on Saturday night and the discovery was made the following evening when the lights failed to come on.

Although city council electricians have repaired the lights and the tree is shining once more, Mrs Cavell said the damage was so bad the lights would have to be replaced next year.

"It will cost a couple of hundred pounds to replace the lights which is money we would otherwise have spent on the patients," she said. "It's an expense we don't need."

Readers can dedicate a light until 12 noon on Thursday, December 23, and the chosen name will be written on the boards surrounding the tree and in the Book of Thanksgiving at Worcester Cathedral.

A police spokesman said officers would be studying CCTV footage to try and catch the culprits and appealed for witnesses to come forwards.

"It's very upsetting for anyone who is affected by this," he said.

Anyone who knows anything about the vandalism should call police on 08457 444888.