Thieves steal Derby's Christmas lights Published duration 12 November 2011

image caption A second break-in was reported at the depot on Friday

The switch-on of Derby's festive illuminations could be delayed after thieves stole more than £20,000 of Christmas lights and equipment.

The lights were stolen from storage at Markeaton Park using the cherry picker lorry which would have been used to install them in the city centre.

Contractors could struggle to find replacements before this year's ceremony, the city council said.

The theft took place at about 05:00 GMT on Thursday.

A second break-in was reported at the storage depot on Friday night. Nothing was stolen on this occasion but a wall was damaged.

Phil Derbyshire, head of maintenance and energy at the council, said: "Contractors were on target for installing the Christmas lights around the city centre.

"This will now impact on us getting the lights ready for the switch-on on 19 November.

"Our contractor is doing their best to source replacements but clearly there is high demand for these types of products at this time of the year. Every effort is being made to get us back on programme."

The stolen lorry is a white Iveco Cherry Picker with yellow Versalift ET38NF cradle and has the registration number Y83 KDK.