YOUNGSTERS have been left heartbroken after thieves stole their festive lights and Christmas decorations.

Samantha West has illuminated the front of her home with lights and a model train for the last seven years — much to the delight of her children and grandchildren.

But this year thieves snapped the electric wires to the decorations and stole her £250 Christmas train.

Ms West discovered the theft from her home in Roseneath Road, Morris Green, at about 5pm last Wednesday — and was horrified to see exposed wires carrying charge just feet away from where her children play.

She bought the train, and its two carriages, from B&Q seven years ago, and said she will not be able to replace it.

Ms West, aged 36, said she despaired at the “sad” thieves for depriving the little ones of a Christmas treat that has become a tradition.

She added: “It’s so sad, normally my sons come home from school to the house all lit up, now it’s pitch black.

“The electrical box is outside and they have got in that and cut the wires to get the train free.

“What it means is that none of the lights work any more, until we can get the wires repaired, as they are unsafe.

“We have had this outside , in exactly the same place, for seven years and had no problems.

“The little ones were just gobsmacked by the whole thing and I feel a bit stupid really but you just do not expect this to happen.”

Ms West has still vowed to enjoy Christmas with sons Burnden and Keaton, aged 14 and seven, daughter, Chloe, aged 21, and grand-daughters Ella, aged three, and two-year-old Lily.

“We will carry on and make the best of it,” she said.

“I know we’re not going to get the train back, and I can’t afford another one, but we will do our best, despite what these people have done.”

Police were notified of the theft but have so far made no arrests.

Earlier this month thieves stole Christmas lights from a granddad's house in Horwich.