Unfestive thieves ruined the run-up to Christmas for a family when they stole their tree complete with lights and decorations.

The Oxley family, of Saville Street, Walton, woke up to discover a trail of mud down their path and an empty pot where their Christmas tree once stood outside their front porch.

Teresa Oxley said: "I am really, really upset about it. I have five children and I always like to make things look nice. The children were really upset."

The 6ft tree had only been up for five days before the heartless thieves struck some time between 12.15am and 7am Friday.

Mrs Oxley, a teaching assistant at Walton Primary School, said: "My husband John got up early and said the tree had gone. I thought he was mucking about."

She said her sons Oliver, nine, ten-year-old twins James and Jonathan, Luke, 16 and Lee, 19, had all helped to decorate the tree, with fairy lights.

Anyone with information should contact PC Robbie Diss at Walton police on 01255 851212

Published Monday, December 16, 2002

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