Christmas joy has been dampened for families in Kent after scrooges targeted festive displays, cutting down lights and leaving homeowners frustrated.

Stuart Leslie, who has adorned his garden in St Mary’s Bay, on Romney Marsh, with spectacular illuminations for the past five years is among those whose properties have been targeted.

His display, featuring an impressive 22,000 bulbs, has become a beloved tradition for residents, often drawing passers-by who stop to take pictures or beep their horns in appreciation.

But this week the dad-of-two was distraught to find three sets of lights had been severed from his front fence.

“Somebody out there has gone out to spoil it,” Mr Leslie told KentOnline.

“We started this five years ago, and it’s had such a big following.

“It brings joy to people seeing the lights outside our house each year. Why would someone ruin that?”

The 52-year-old spends about £400 to £500 annually on new decorations to replace broken or ageing ones.

But the driving instructor insists this is just a “drop in the ocean compared to the enjoyment it brings to people”.

However, since discovering the vandalism this week, Mr Leslie, who lives at the property with his wife and two children, is questioning whether he will continue the tradition.

He added: “Why should I put so much effort in when one person wants to ruin it?

“We put lights up along the front fence and near the bridge, and that’s what’s been cut down. I’m certainly not going to put them along the fence and bridge in the future.

“It’s made us feel very upset.”

Elsewhere in the county, Rev Dr Steven Horne, who is a vicar in Ashford, has shared his dismay on social media after his lights were also vandalised.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “I’m so disappointed and hurt.

“I wanted to get the vicarage looking nice for when my daughter comes home from university with lots of Christmas lights outside.

“I come home and someone has cut all the wires. They were all new, and we’ve only lived there a few months.”

His post has received more than 200,000 views online, with many expressing their sympathy.

Seth commented: “What a small souled and spiteful deed. If you set up a GoFundMe, I’m sure many including myself would help you out with buying some new lights.

Jay Blake added: “Praying for you all and for a solution to encourage you all as you bring light into your community.”

The vicar said he had been overwhelmed by the response to his post.

“Thank you for your kind comments and generous offers,” he said.

“I've fixed some of the lights. There's still a very sad-looking deflated Santa but I'm in good spirits.

“Hurt people hurt people, so I'm praying for healing for whoever did it.”