An elderly couple who decorated their house to bring Christmas cheer to the community have been left devastated by vandals as young as six.

Arthur and Reina Mitchell spent £200 on decorating their home with festive lights, only for them to be torn down by youngsters.

The couple, of Ashington Gardens, Peacehaven, who are also hoping to get permission to start a door-to-door collection for The Royal Marsden Hospital charity, based in Sutton, Surrey, had models of Father Christmas and a festive tree in the display.

Mr Mitchell, 67 said: "It was very upsetting.

"I went outside at about 8pm on Wednesday night and the decorations had been torn down with such force that the cables were broken."

The damage is the latest in a string of attacks by children who have harassed the couple for the last year.

Mrs Mitchell, 60, a councillor on Peacehaven Town Council, said: "I'm really angry and have reached the end of my tether.

"We've had eggs thrown at us and the door repeatedly kicked by these kids.

"They even threw stones at my husband when he was outside mowing the lawn.

"I don't know why they are doing it. Perhaps its because I am a councillor and so I am an easy target."

The pair decided to get involved in the charity, which is devoted to the treatment of cancer, after Tony Howard, former leader of the town council, died from lung cancer this year. They hoped the lights would help draw attention to their appeal.

Pauline Howard, Tony's widow and mayor of Peacehaven, praised their efforts.

She said: "They've been absolutely marvellous and were particularly helpful when my husband was ill.

"It's despicable what these kids have done."

Mr Mitchell, whose previous Christmas decorations have been on a much smaller scale said: "We will continue to raise money for the charity but we aren't going to be putting the decorations back up."

For information about donating to the charity, call 020 8770 029.