CIVIC leaders have hit out at the "mindless vandals" who smashed up town centre nativity scenes.

Figures in Oswaldtwistle and Clitheroe were damaged by yobs on Monday night.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said he had been left "stunned" by the vandalism and Clitheroe mayor Allan Knox said the incidents were "very sad".

In Oswaldtwistle thugs smashed open the shed that houses the nativity near Co-op in Union Road.

Once entering the nativity they caused so much damage that the scene had to be removed from the street by council officials.

It has been confirmed that the scene will not return this January.

The nativity at Clitheroe Castle Gates was damaged just after 8pm on Monday.

There vandals smashed a large ceramic cow that formed part of the display.

Coun Britcliffe, who represents the St Andrew's ward in Oswaldtwistle, said: "Christ is very much a part of Christmas in Hyndburn and it was important that we had a nativity in the town.

"This is mindless destruction at its worst and will be very upsetting to a lot of people."

The crib in Oswaldtwistle also hit the headlines last week because the scene appeared to show four wise men.

Coun Allan Knox, who also sits on Ribble Valley Council said: "It is very sad that someone would do this.

"The crib scene is very popular in Clitheroe and is important for our Christmas celebrations.

"Everytime I go past the castle gates there are always a group of children with their families admiring the scene.

"The scene is at the heart of the Christmas mssage -vandalising it is unacceptable."

Police are now examining CCTV footage in a bid to identify the vandals.

Insp Mark Porter said the baby Jesus had been snatched from the Clitheroe nativity in the days before Christmas in a suspected drunken prank but was quickly returned.

He added: "The incidents are being taken seriously and CCTV is being checked."