A CHRISTMAS countdown has begun in earnest in a village near Swindon - despite an attempt to scupper it by a local who has been described as a “Grinch”.

A disused phone box in Lydiard Millicent was set up to display posters counting down to Christmas so children could see it on their way to school.

But one resident complained and asked them to be taken down because he argued it was littering.

Gary Garside, who owns Swindon Vehicle Solutions opposite the phone box, told the Adver: “There was one person in particular who said that if I put the ‘sleeps till Santa’ up inside the phone box he would take them down - he said it was fly posting.

“He said he doesn’t want it on the street.”

The parish council distanced itself from the complaint. It gave Gary a key to the parish noticeboard so he could continue doing the countdown.

“The council just said make it as festive and cheerful as you want to,” he added.

Now the countdown to Christmas has been reinstated and a tree has been set up inside the old phone box for the children to decorate on their way to school.

“So they come along each morning and leave little baubles for Santa,” added Gary. “It really is bringing the village together, and the mums all approve of it.

“The man who complained will come out some times and give a wry smile. You will always get one Grinch.”

Gary will also be dressing up as Santa on the last day of school, as he has done for the last five years.

“I’m a big kid at heart,” he added. “Village Christmas spirit - I love it.

“Next year we’re looking at doing it bigger and better, and getting a full size tree in the phone box.”

Mum Sheralin Minton, who walks with her two children every morning, said: “It just brings a lovely magical feeling to the village, and it saves me from having to remember how many sleeps there are.

“The children are all so excited about Christmas, they can’t wait to see if its be changed every morning.”

Chairman of the parish council Alan Pfleger said: “It’s something which is nice for the children. We’ve taken over the phone box as a community asset and this guy complained so I gave Gary a key to use our noticeboard and it sort of snowballed. Now one of the residents put a Christmas tree in there and I think it looks really nice now. I think it’s a wonderful thing Gary’s done, the children are enjoying it and they’ve been decorating the tree which makes it even nicer.

“Someone kicked off a little bit, but nothing more was said so I think he’s kept quiet about it.”