Durham Police are investigating after the Christmas tree in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, was chopped down between 10pm and 11pm on Wednesday, causing 'huge upset' in the village

A Christmas tree that has been a fixture in a village for over a decade was chopped down mere hours after its Christmas lights were switched on this week.

The tree, located in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, was felled between 10pm and 11pm on Wednesday, causing "huge upset", according to Durham Police . The force, suspecting it was deliberately cut down, is urging witnesses to step come forward with any information.

Pc David Allan, from the Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team, expressed his outrage: "This was a disgusting act of mindless vandalism, which has caused huge upset throughout the village at a time

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