ANGRY landlady Veronica Rickard has hit out after thieves stole all 500 lights from the Christmas tree at the entrance to the Jubilee Inn at Pelynt.

The incident is just one of a number of Christmas thefts in the last week. They include:

l A Christmas tree and lights taken from above a toy shop in Liskeard.

l Decorations and lights stolen and damaged outside a house in Morval.

l A flashing light stolen from Pelynt Institute.

Pelynt was targeted late on Saturday night. Landlady Veronica Rickard awoke on Sunday morning to find the tree she had decorated with 500 lights next to the doorway at the Inn, had been stripped bare.

'I am absolutely fuming about this' she said, 'I cannot put into words how angry I am. We have gone to all this bother to bring the village some festive spirit and then somebody wants to wreck it'.

Mrs Rickard, who has reported the matter to the police, said the lights were special ones which should last up to 25 years without having to change the bulbs, and cost almost £100. However the thieves failed to take the transformer which means they will be unable to use them. She said two weeks ago another tree had been stolen entirely.

Mrs Rickard has erected a large sign promising a very large drink to anyone who comes up with information. 'I intend to prosecute if the culprits are caught' she said.

At the Pelynt Institute a flashing tube of light around the sign above the door, has been stolen. It is believed both incidents occurred sometime between 11.30pm on Saturday and the early hours of Sunday.

Meanwhile Chairman of Liskeard Chamber of Commerce Roger Terry, reported that thieves stole the Christmas tree and lights above Bricknells Toy Shop on Bay Tree Hill, sometime during Tuesday night.

'It is thought a shopping trolley was used to reach the tree which was unscrewed from its holder' said Mr Terry, 'it is unbelievable that people can do this sort of thing'.

Shop manager Julie Roberts said a lot of children were sad to see the toy shop's Christmas tree was missing, however she is pleased to say the Chamber has already replaced it for them.

On Saturday night at Morval thieves struck again at the roadside home of Karan Moore, who said the decorations she has put up over the last few years with her husband are much admired.

A section of the lighting sent to her from America was taken but Mrs Moore says the irony is that because the USA has a different voltage the lights are useless without special adaptation.

Some of the lights were found in the road and at first the couple thought the wind had blown them off, but they then discovered lights on the house and shed had been yanked off and pulled away from their connections, with one section having disappeared completely.

Meanwhile hardworking lighting committees all over Caradon have been battling against the elements trying to erect or repair weather damaged decorations.

In Liskeard the Chamber's attempts to erect three special new features across The Parade, have been hampered for two weeks, and members have been out in heavy rain and gales every day and evening, repairing and maintaining lights which are already up.

One of the main concerns now is the large tree outside Webbs Hotel on The Parade, which is suffering storm damage and has been rocking in its anchorage.

'We do not need decorations to be stolen on top of everything else', said Mr Terry, who is appealing for people to be vigilant and to report anyone seen tampering with the town's trees and lights.

However, it is hoped the new features, between Barclays Bank and Stu Print, the Pioneer Store and the library, and NatWest Bank and Painters, will be up in time for the Chamber's special Christmas Fun Day tomorrow.