A man suffered a heart scare triggered by vandals who attacked his Christmas streetlights display.

Michael Burnage was taken to hospital with an irregular heartbeat after discovering his festive characters had been wrecked.

Mr Burnage, 36, spent two months preparing the display at Malines Avenue, Peacehaven, which he arranges every year.

However, he found organising this year's display more stressful than usual.

The final straw came when the vandals struck.

Mr Burnage suffered severe chest pains and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

He was released after a check-up and the lights, which raise money for the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children in Brighton, will be switched on as planned on Saturday.