A Christmas killjoy twice cut the wires to a festive display outside St Raphael’s Hospice in North Cheam.

About 2,500 people turned out to see the Christmas lights switch-on event outside St Raph’s on Thursday, December 1.

But the next morning visitors were shocked to find out the wires on the Christmas tree had been deliberately cut.

Electricians then attached more festive lights on and around the tree, only to have the wires cut again on Saturday night.

Joan Graham, who attended the carol service, told the Sutton Guardian: “Before the service started a man told the crowd that the lights had been cut in six places and when he said that there was a bit of shock that went through us all.

“There are people so sad. What on earth would make someone do that especially at an event as emotional as that one.”

She added: “They do such great work there and they are all volunteers. They looked after my best friend June before she died of cancer in April and there were many people there who have lost someone who have been coming there for years.”

Director of fundraising and communications at St Raph’s, Keith Witham, said: “There were two incidents of vandalism prior to the carol service, one a few days ago, and again overnight on Saturday, where the cables were severed to the lights on the tree.

“But on both occasions they were put back into working order by our site services. We hope that it will now stay on until after Christmas and the New Year as usual.”

The carol service is held each year to raise funds for the hospice through donations as part of St Raph’s ‘light up a life’ appeal that raises money that goes towards the care of people at the hospice.

This year the appeal exceeded £100,000 - to find out more visit straphaels.

Do you have a story? Email: anders.anglesey@london.newsquest.co.uk, or call 020 8722 6358.