VANDALS ruined a Christmas display in Tottington – but it wasn’t enough to dampen community spirits.

The display in Market Street, which includes a snowman lying in a bath of holy leaves and festive lights, was damaged on December 23.

Paul Kelly, of Rhine Close in Tottington, ‘the brains’ behind the display, recovered an unwanted bath before turning it into a community garden display in the busy road.

The dad-of-one, who lives with wife Judith and son, Harrison, aged 13, put a Christmas tree up next to the bath which was filled with leaves and added a snowman’s head to bring some festive cheer to the area.

He said: “Children at Mulberry Bush Nursery made and laminated decorations for the tree and we added the snowman’s head with a hat to the top of the bath tub.

“It looks great and people have enjoyed seeing it.

“It was such a shame to find the lights had been ripped out and the snowman’s hat ruined.

“You wonder why you go to the effort when things get damaged, but people admire it so we were quick to get the lights back on and the snowman’s head in place.”

A passer-by recovered the lights and placed them back on the display before Paul corrected the damage.

Bury councillor Mrs Kelly said: “Paul's been looking after the area since August 2014 and changes the display regularly. His theory is you should give to the community what you can.”