The organisers of a village’s Christmas lights have condemned thieves and vandals who have put this year’s display at risk.

For eight years Jim Irvine and his wife Vicki, licensees of the Half Moon Inn in Main Street, Pool-in-Wharfedale, have raised money for the village’s annual Christmas lights by collecting money in a jar.

But the couple were sickened when someone stole the collection money shortly before the lights were switched on in December.

Then they were dismayed to see illuminations being smashed by stone-throwing youths.

Mrs Irvine said: “That collection jar, or a similar jar of some description, had been on our bar for the past eight years and it has never been touched before.

“This theft will leave us with a problem for next year’s lights.”

Mr Irvine said: “Whoever took the money wasn’t stealing from me or from the pub, they were stealing from the village.”