SCROOGES claiming to be Jehovah's Witnesses have asked residents to take down their Christmas lights because they find them offensive.

Notes were posted through several letterboxes, in Hyde Way, Wickford, urging homeowners to get rid of decorative Santas, sleighs, glimmering stars, and fairy lights that cover their homes.

However, a Jehovah's Witness elder in Wickford said the typed notes must be a prank by someone trying to rubbish his religion.

They read: "As you may know it is currently December, the time of year when you all put up your Christmas lights to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

"We are Jehovah's Witnesses and could you please take the time to take down your Christmas lights.

"We find them very offensive to our religion and it would be so kind for you to listen to us."

Deena, 42, and Malcolm, Curnick, 46, of Hyde Way, received a note.

Malcolm said: "We're disgusted. We're going to put more lights up now, as I don't think anyone should be able to tell us what to do.

"We have two kids and we do it for them."

Jehovah's Witness elder Roger Dexter insisted the notes were not sent by anyone from his congregation based in Crouch Drive, Wickford.

He said: "We would like to categorically distance ourselves from these notes. I can only imagine that perhaps it is a prank. I could not imagine it would be from a Jehovah's Witness."