Santa’s Grotto at Berwick Garden Centre, with its dancing polar bears, penguins and seals, was wrecked by thieves last weekend.

Animal ornaments and around £780 worth of stock were taken – a huge blow to to the centre at one of its busiest times of the year.

Manager Lynda Murray said: “At Berwick Garden Centre we pride ourselves in offering a memorable Christmas experience for all. Our staff work incredibly hard building our displays and a lot of effort is made to ensure our displays are enjoyable for both adults and children.

“Our Santa’s Grotto area this year has been magical, with dancing polar bears, penguins and seals. We have inflatable Santa’s and Snowmen along with a display of illuminated woodland animals.

“On Sunday morning, I was devastated to find this display had been ransacked overnight. There was a considerable amount of stock stolen and the dancing polar bears and other items were vandalised.”

Staff set about rebuilding as much of the display as possible.

Mrs Murray said: “I hope that the people responsible are sentenced. I don’t know how they sleep at night.”

Police said two men, aged 23 and 24, had been questioned in connection with the break-in and bailed pending further enquiries.