KIND-HEARTED Ryde residents have added a sprinkling of festive cheer to their local community after the town's Christmas tree was vandalised earlier this week.

Video footage from Sunday evening showed tree ornaments — baubles handmade by local school pupils and members of a youth cafe — being stolen and, in some cases, destroyed.

Liam Leaver, 26, created a series of owl-shaped ornaments to replace those that were removed.

He said: “As you get older your festive spirit can tend to fade a little, and the main thing that gets me into the spirit now is seeing a Christmas tree — I used to love putting up and decorating the tree when I was younger.

“I hated the fact everyone was looking at the tree for negative reasons after it was vandalised, so thought I would try to add something positive.”

Others have followed Liam’s example, with fellow Ryde resident, Tara Rose, adding flashing baubles.

Ryde Town Council has expressed its gratitude to those who are kindly contributing.

They asked people to make sure any adornments are cleared before attaching them to make sure they are shatter-proof.

Additionally, the council has provided more baubles for the local youth cafe, where members of the group will decorate them ready to be put on the tree.

Town mayor, Cllr Michael Lilley, said: "We were devastated and horrified at the vandalismof the tree but out of this sadness, good has happened.

"The community has really come together, making donations and Ryde Network making new baubles.

"We are saying no to this anti-social behaviour and we are not allowing Christmas in Ryde to be harmed. The vandals will not spoil our Christmas."