COUNCILLORS will not be defeated as vandals strike again in Connah’s Quay.

Members of Connah’s Quay town council said they were annoyed that the youths had pulled the lights off the Christmas tree on New Year’s Eve following preventions put in place after last year.

Cllr Ian Dunbar told the Leader: “Town councillors are annoyed over what mindless people have done to our festive Christmas tree that we have had many compliments about, because it’s a real one. It cost a fortune for it and to light up the bottom of Connah’s Quay to the top for these idiots to destroy it on New Year’s Eve.

“The council can’t understand why it happens. We have tried to put preventions on it by putting a fence around but with the mind of some idiots we don’t know what our next step will be to prevent something happening in the future.”

This year marks the third year that the town’s tree has been attacked by vandals but the council said last year was the worst, with three different attacks before December 25.

At the monthly meeting, councillors asked for a meeting to see what can be done to secure the tree in the future.

Cllr Bernie Attridge said: “We are not going to be defeated by yobs because sometime’s that’s what people want but can we have a look for what can secure it? Is there anything more we can do working up to next year and bring something back to members if there is? At the end of the day, if someone sets their mind on wrecking it or whatever, they will but there might be something we can do to protect it. It lasted until New Year’s Eve and in previous years it was destroyed before then. It’s a shame really.”

The tree was damaged beyond repair due to wires being cut and lights dragged off the branches and the Clerk of the council, Steve Goodrum said the electrician has been out to make it safe but it will not be replaced due to it being collected at some point next week.