Christmas tree in Durham village chopped down hours after lights switched on

Police appeal for witnesses after tree put up in tribute to war dead cut down in act of mindless vandalism'

A Christmas tree that had stood in a village for more than a decade has been chopped down hours after having its lights switched on.

The tree, in Shotton Colliery in County Durham, was felled between 10pm and 11pm on Wednesday. It is believed to have been cut down deliberately. Police are appealing for witnesses.