A village came together today to rescue their prize centre piece Christmas tree after vandals hacked it in half overnight.

Cambs Times: Doddington’s prize Christmas tree wrecked by storm damage and 'not a malicious act', police say. Picture: HARRY RUTTERDoddington’s prize Christmas tree wrecked by storm damage and 'not a malicious act', police say. Picture: HARRY RUTTER (Image: HARRY RUTTER)

By 8am today the chairman of the Doddington Christmas Lights Committee had been alerted and was already on the scene to restore the festive pride.

David Curtis soon discovered what the spirit of Christmas means to the village and by mid afternoon today half the tree was back up, and the lights back on.

Mr Cutis’ daughter told this newspaper that a child one his way to school cried this morning after he thought “Christmas was over”.

Cambs Times: Doddington’s prize Christmas tree wrecked by storm damage and 'not a malicious act', police say. Picture: HARRY RUTTERDoddington’s prize Christmas tree wrecked by storm damage and 'not a malicious act', police say. Picture: HARRY RUTTER (Image: HARRY RUTTER)

She said: “You could see the big smile on his face when he was walking home from school only to see the tree back up.”

The tree is the biggest the town has had to date and every year a new one is donated by a local family.

Local man Philip Cowley has offered a £100 reward for anyone who gives information that leads to the conviction of the suspected vandals.

Cambs Times: Doddington’s prize Christmas tree wrecked by storm damage and 'not a malicious act', police say. Picture: HARRY RUTTERDoddington’s prize Christmas tree wrecked by storm damage and 'not a malicious act', police say. Picture: HARRY RUTTER (Image: HARRY RUTTER)

The committee is calling for anyone with any information about the incident to come forward and call 101.