A giant Christmas bauble at Brightwells was wrecked by a vandal just hours after the shopping centre’s first festive lights switch-on.

The illuminated bauble outside Charters Estate Agents and Pirates Landing was attacked by a lone perpetrator just 48 hours after it was lit up.

Brightwells centre manager Blake Martyn-Johnson said: “It is such a shame that this mindless act of vandalism ruined what was such a wonderful experience for children.

“They loved it when we brought out the snow machine and created some Christmas magic.”

Brightwells is managed by Surrey County Council, and Cllr Andy McLeod, the ward member for Central Farnham, said the incident reflected a wider problem.

He said: “I just think it seems to be part of a trend in Farnham because there’s too much of this anti-social behaviour going on, a bit like where we had incidents a year or so ago of people firing catapults at shop windows.

“It’s appalling, this sort of thing.”

CCTV footage suggests the damage was caused by a lone man who entered Brightwells Yard from the Sainsbury’s end on Thursday, November 20.

Although CCTV did not capture a clear image, staff believe the suspect to be in his early 20s. The footage and a statement have been handed to police, but Brightwells has not yet been informed of any further action.

What shocked staff most was that the vandal appeared to be acting alone, with no apparent motive other than to cause damage.

Despite the attack, Brightwells staff insist it has not dampened the festive spirit at the shopping area.

A snow machine will be in operation until Sunday, December 28, offering visitors the chance to take white Christmas selfies.

This Saturday, December 6, in association with Farnham Lions, children can meet Santa between 12pm and 3pm. They can also join a wreath-making workshop from 10.30am to 3pm.