A FAMILY left heartbroken when their Christmas lights were vandalised and decorations stolen has received some seasonal goodwill.

A £250 model train, which has illuminated the front of Samantha West’s house in Morris Green for seven years, was taken last week by thieves.

Ms West, aged 36, was then the subject of a second attack from vandals last weekend, after she had finally managed to get the rest of her lights working again.

But now, homeware store B&Q has stepped in and donated a tree and an illuminated Santa to the West family.

Ms West said: “It’s a brilliant gesture after all that we have been through and we will be rigging up the lighting at the back now, I think.

“People have told me that I am being targeted by the same people. I just despair at them doing things like this at this time of year.”

Ms West’s daughter Chloe, aged 21, sons Burnden, aged 14, and seven-year-old Keaton, have grown-up used to the train and its two carriages illuminating the outside of their home.

This made the theft all the more upsetting to Ms West but her children, and gran-ddaughters Ella, aged three, and Lillie, aged two, now have new decorations to enjoy at the home.

John Pritchard, showroom manager at B&Q in Bolton, said: “We are well invested in the community and we are always happy to help in situations such as this.

“The lady who alerted us is the real good samaritan, as she was proactive and decided something had to be done after she had read the story.

“She said she had been moved to tears by it so of course we were delighted to help.”

Joan Bromley, who brought the story to the attention of B&Q, said: “I just thought it was despicable when I read the story.

“Coming just before Chris-tmas, it’s even worse.

“I’ve had children and grandchildren myself so I know how upsetting things like this can be to kids. I’m just glad I could help.”