'Mindless' vandals have targeted the public Christmas tree in Oswaldtwistle ahead of tonight's light switch-on.
The offenders struck at the weekend at Jubilee Gardens and stole around a third of the festive lights from the tree.
The lights had been recently funded using the area management budget and the council has instructed a contractor to ensure the lights are working for tonight's switch-on from 6pm.
Ward councillor Peter Britcliffe said the vandalism was 'absolutely disgusting'.
He said: “These people are just mindless morons who try to spoil Christmas for the vast majority of people in Oswaldtwistle.
“I'm quite sure the show will go on but it will not look as good as usual.
“You wonder what goes through the minds of these people. Do they not want to be proud of the town?”
Coun Britcliffe said he will ask the council to check CCTV near to Jubilee Gardens to see if it captured the culprits.
He said: “We have spent thousands on CCTV and there is a camera across the road.
“Every year we suffer vandalism with the tree and the lights. There should be a special watch kept on Jubilee Gardens at this time of year.”
Lancashire Police have said that they have not been informed of the incident.
