Less than a week after Maidstone’s Christmas lights were switched on, some are already being taken down.

A string of the decorations fell down in Week Street this morning in the high winds, and are to be removed and restrung later today.

The lights, including an illuminated ball surrounded by branches of white lights, were left hanging in the street between Sizzle Grill Cafe and Sevenaoks Sound and Vision.

Police blocked off the road, while contractors from Gala Lights and environmental officers from Maidstone Borough Council were also called to the scene.

A lorry is due to remove the lights later this morning and they should be restrung later today.

Kim Pauley, 28, who works in nearby Poundstretcher said: “They weren’t down when I came in at 7.30am but when I looked outside at 8am they were lying in the road.

"They haven’t caused us any problems but deliveries are having to go a different way to get to shops further along Week Street.

“We haven’t been told when they might go back up. I’m quite surprised they came down as it hasn’t been that windy.”