A Christmas tree has been given its own CCTV 'minder' throughout December, in a bid to thwart vandals.

Councillors asked operators of Hyndburn's CCTV cameras to train the camera, overlooking the Oswaldtwistle Community Garden, at the tree after residents expressed concern that it could be wrecked.

The community garden, located off Union Road, was redesigned this year after complaints that it attracted too many yobs. Last year, vandals wrecked the lights on Great Harwood's Christmas tree and councillors in Rishton ordered the re-siting of their festive tree, after youngsters began gathering around it at night.

The Oswaldtwistle garden was created in 1994 as the Oswaldtwistle Art Garden and included a stone table dotted with cups, saucers and tea pots and a large arch. Both were soon abused by vandals and there have been recent reports of yobs using the arch and table for urinating contests.

In the summer, £6,000 of the Oswaldtwistle Area Council's annual budget was spent on transforming it, including the placing of new benches, new trees and a new prominent position for the Christmas tree.

The town's nativity crib, which used to be sited at the end of Rhyddings Street, has also been moved to the new-look square.

Coun Peter Britcliffe, chairman of Oswaldtwistle Area Council, said: "I think the square looks very impressive at the moment and it is something we can be proud of. What did concern me, however, is that it might become another target for vandals. We do have CCTV in the area, so I think it was very good if the camera overlooking the garden could be trained on the tree.

"There are a few people who are determined to spoil things for other people and it is important they know that we are doing all we can to stop them."

The turning-on of the tree's lights was carried out on Tuesday and the crib was blessed at the same time.

Coun Britcliffe added: "Some 300 people were there, which shows just what this area means to people. We need to make sure it doesn't become a target for vandals."

The issue was raised at this week's meeting of Oswaldtwistle Area Council and police agreed to make sure the tree would remain within the focus of the camera over Christmas.