The first Scrooges of Christmas have surfaced this season in the Woodland Drive area of Hove.

Businessman Robbie Raggio has decorated his detached house with an inflatable snowman on the roof and Santa legs sticking out of the windows.

A collecting box has been placed nearby to raise cash so that research can be carried out into the cause of Rett syndrome, which affects young children.

Yet Mr Raggio and his wife Debbie have received hate mail from neighbours who find the display "distasteful, wasteful and offensive".

These sad and miserable people did not even have the courage to say who they were when they wrote to the Raggios.

Yes, the display may be garish but it's showing Christmas spirit and goodwill sadly lacking in the uncharitable neighbours.