A HUNT for the Winchester Grinch is underway after the city's Christmas tree was hacked down.

The 30ft tree, the centrepiece of Winchester's Christmas decorations, was attacked with a chainsaw.

Shoppers yesterday spoke of their shock at the wanton act of vandalism as they walked past the flattened £1,500 tree with its brightly coloured baubles strewn across the paving.

Most were outraged by the savage attack while others speculated the crime could have been the work of someone like Dr Seuss' Grinch cartoon character who famously hated Christmas and annual festivities.

One of those shocked at the sight was seven-year-old Lucinda Pitt from Twyford.

She said: "I think it's terrible and Father Christmas will be sad."

Her mum Sarah, 32, added: "It's shocking. I can't believe someone would do this. The tree was only there to brighten up the city and add a bit of festive cheer, now all that's gone because of one selfish individual."

Catherine Tucker, 40, was horrified by the prostrate tree.

"What is the point in doing that? What are they trying to prove? If I knew who did it I would report them immediately,'' she said.

"Not many people carry saws around so this must have been someone with a grudge."

Charlene James, 16, added: "It must have been someone like the Grinch, who doesn't like Christmas. I think they should be caught."

A sign hung round fencing surrounding the scene simply apologises for what Winchester city leaders say is a 'wilful act of vandalism'.

Detectives hunting for the perpetrator say the tree was attacked shortly before 1am on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said: "This is a criminal act and we are investigating to find out who is responsible. It was an extremely dangerous thing to do that could have had serious consequences for the person involved, any passers by and indeed the businesses surrounding the tree."

Anyone with information should contact Winchester police on 0845 045 4545.

Sneak thief makes off with FA Vase replica

A REPLICA of the FA Vase won by Winchester City FC has been stolen from behind the clubhouse bar.

Bosses at the Denplan City Ground were shocked to discover that somebody had managed to sneak the vase out without breaking into the building.

The trophy was the club's memento of the biggest day in its history when the team were crowned FA Vase champions, bringing the trophy to Hampshire for the first time.

Four thousand fans made the trip to Birmingham to see Winchester triumph over Suffolk team Sudbury in a thrilling 2-0 victory.

Now they are hoping that with enough public pressure the vase will be returned to its rightful owners before the club calls in the police.

Neil Hards, the club's manager, said they were also considering replicating the famous recovery of the World Cup that was stolen after England won it in 1966 by using a Jack Russell called Pickles in an attempt to bring back the prized trophy.

He said: "It wasn't a break-in it was just taken from behind the bar while it was open.''

The real FA Vase is in a glass case in the Guildhall.

Vase theft has echoes of '66

THE year was 1966 and it was the England Football Team's greatest season.

They beat Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium in front of a capacity crowd of 96,924.

But on March 20, the Jules Rimet trophy was stolen while on exhibition at Central Hall in Westminster, London.

The solid gold trophy

disappeared while a church service was taking place in another part of the building.

Thieves removed the cup from the Sport with Stamps display at the Stampex

exhibition, but stamps worth £3m were left behind.

At least two guards were in the hall at the time of the theft.

Detectives and forensics experts were investigating the break-in and appealed for anyone with information

But it was a Jack Russell called Pickles who found the trophy while out for a walk with his owner in South London.

It was wrapped in news-paper and hidden in bushes and was returned a week after its theft.