A man was caught on CCTV attempting to climb a town's Christmas tree as his friend held his pint glass.

It wasn't Santa that visited Royal Wootton Bassett just before midnight on Monday (December 12), after three men were spotted near the large tree on High Street in the town.

One of the men decided to climb the tree at around 11.45pm, which resulted in the lights being damaged as well as fusing.

The other two individuals remained by the side of the tree, with one of men drinking from a pint glass.

Contractors visited the site on Tuesday morning to assess the damage with the lights being replaced and repaired at the expense of the taxpayer.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council says their CCTV images show the group walking down Station Road just before midnight, one wearing a high-viz jacket with a rucksack on his back.

Images and the CCTV have now been passed to Wiltshire Police to investigate.

A spokesperson for the RWBTC said: "If you are aware of these individuals, or you have footage from your business or residential security cameras in the High Street or Station Road, please contact the town council, or Wiltshire Police."

Town Clerk, Mark Hopkins added: "A lot of people work very hard to make our town look great for the Christmas period, and this sort of mindless criminal damage, that then costs public money to sort out, won't be tolerated by our residents.

"Please let Wiltshire Police know if you have any information."

The constabulary has been approached for comment.