DESTROYED decorations, aggressive carol singers and holly thieves have taken the festive spirit out of Christmas for several Worcestershire residents.

David Davies woke to find "Scrooges" had been at work outside his Malvern house, after his distinctive wire tree, complete with lights, was stolen from his garden.

The 38-year-old from Burrows Close, was disgusted to find the distinctive spiral shaped frame, worth around £50, dumped in neighbouring Dukes Meadow with its lights removed.

The decoration stolen some time between 11pm on Monday and 5.30am on Tuesday, had been part of the house's festive garden lights.

"It is the only house in the street to be lit up outside and lots of children in the area emjoyed looking at them," said Mr Davies.

"We found the frame had been dumped, so basically the thieves wrecked the decoration just for a row of rope lights. I wish the person who stole them a really miserable Christmas."

Police are also trying to trace surly carol singers who have been targeting homes in Malvern.

Yesterday, three youths, aged around 16, abused a man who refused to give them money for carol singing in Manby Road, Malvern.

On Wednesday, there were complaints after two teenagers knocked loudly on several front doors in Davenham Close, also in Malvern at around 9pm.

They are described as being scruffy-looking and wearing jeans. One wore a baseball cap and the other a woolen bobble hat.

In a separate incident an estimated £200 worth of holly was stolen from four trees at a home in Hawford Lock Lanes in Claines.

The offenders took a ladder from a Dutch barn at the property and then used a saw to steal the holly some time between 7.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7am.

"There seem to be a number of people intent on benefiting from Christmas in very strange ways," said a police spokesman.

"We'd like to hear from anyone who can help in identifying those involved in this very un-Christmas-like incidents."

Anyone with any information about the incidents should call Worcester police on 08457 444888.