Thieves cut wires and detached an 8ft Christmas decoration from a front garden to the horror of fund-raising neighbours who raise hundreds every year through their festive cheer.

Bob and Pat Bogle of Lower Morden Lane, awoke on Saturday morning to discover the Christmas train they have erected in the garden, alongside a huge collection of other decorations, had been stolen in the night.

The huge train is so large it is strapped to a scaffolding plank leading the pair to believe the theft must have been planned, with a ladder and van used to carry out the act.

Mrs Bogle, 67, said: “It took Bob and a neighbour to erect the train onto the hedge, using a ladder. It is too big to strap to a car so they must have used a van.”

Lower Morden Lane has a long tradition of getting in the festive spirit and volunteers collect money outside their decorated homes to give to St Raphael’s’ Hospice every year.

The Bogles have been an integral part of creating the perfect Christmas spirit in the street for close to 30 years and the loss of the train has shocked the community.

Renee Donnelly, who lives down the road, said: “They produce a wonderful display for the visitors who come from far and wide to visit this well know location.

“Endless hours from the Bogles family have been spent for many years of giving pleasure for children and adults who visit here.”

While obviously angered by the act, grandmother of four Mrs Bogle was quick to point out people have things much worse.

She said: “It is upsetting as there is sentimental attachment, and the grandchildren were over on Sunday asking where it was.

"At the end of the day though, it is only a train, we had it for seven or eight years, so we got our monies worth and people have suffered much worse.”

The train is white with a engine and three carriages, approximately 8ft long. The wheels are wired to lights which give the impression the locomotive is moving.

Inside the carriages were nine toy bears dressed as soldiers, with a Santa at the rear.

Police are investigating the theft, if you have any information call them on 101.

 

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