'Heartless thieves' have been slammed after stealing lights, a star, tinsel and baubles from a community Christmas tree in West Lothian.
Just hours after Reverend Chris Galbraith proudly posed outside Boghall Parish Church with the new community Christmas tree, it was ransacked.
Shocked locals have branded the thieves as 'heartless' for stealing the decorations from the local church, which often acts as a food bank for those in need.
Community volunteers now say they have found the star of the tree discarded and hope they can work to get it repaired by Monday.
Community group The Boghall Drop In Centre shared before and after pictures of the ransacked tree, writing: "This is the result 24 hours later this is not only heartbreaking but a totally poor show!
"We will sort and get it back to how it was, this was for everyone in the community.
"Lights, star, tinsel and baubles have been taken. Please this time leave it ALONE for everyone to enjoy!
If you know anything about this please get in touch!
"We will be fixing the Christmas tree, a resident has found the discarded star, we have more lights and tinsel and by Monday it will be back to what it was."
Locals hit out at the thieves with one person penning: "Some sad folk in Boghall who think it's ok to do things like this."
Another added: "Mindless thuggery."
"Absolutely disgusting behaviour from anyone," added another, "Boghall drop in centre yous have been absolutely amazing to the whole community during such difficult times and there should be more respect to yous and what yous do for everyone."
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"Absolutely vile behaviour shame on or they who did this," another agreed.
