YOUNG thugs have spoilt a Christmas lights show put on by pensioners Stan and Joan Williams to raise money for a cancer hospice.

Mr and Mrs Williams, both 71, have been collecting money for Prospect Hospice for four years by putting up Christmas lights and having a contribution box outside their home in Coventry Close, Wroughton.

But teenagers have repeatedly attempted to steal the money and this week the couple opened the box to find a condom filled with urine had been placed inside.

Mr Williams said: "We quite enjoy Christmas in any case and we like putting up lots of lights for the kids.

"Then one of my neighbours said why not try and raise a bit of money for Prospect at the same time so we started putting out a collection box.

"But what has been happening is absolutely terrible.

"Two boys who saw some others trying to steal the box came and told us what had happened. We do try and empty the box three or four times in the evening and it is bolted to the gate."

Deputy leader of the council, Brian Ford (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon) has turned on the lights at the house for the past two years. Last year's effort raised more than £600.

He said: "They work so hard. There are more than 5,000 light bulbs on display.

"It is for charity and to think that this is happening makes you sick.

"There are a lot of good young people out there but this is just sickening and whoever is doing it wants to grow up. I would encourage everyone to go along, enjoy the lights, and put some money in the box."

The fundraising effort this year has also been hampered by a new six foot fence put up by the council nearby, which hampers the view from some parts of the road.

Neighbour Roland Parsons said: "The house is beautifully decorated but no one can see it and the fact that the couple have been hounded by some stupid young thugs is absolutely awful."

Police today confirmed they were investigating.