VILLAGERS were seeing red after the Christmas lights were taken down from outside the Houston and Killellan Kirk.

The lit up 'Merry X-mas' logo was removed from the fencing in front of the church earlier this week.

It prompted an outcry from residents in Houston, who believed a 'mystery objector' was behind it.

There was even talk of a petition being launched to reinstate the lights again.

However, following the reaction from the community, Houston and Killellan Kirk will be reinstating the lights today.

It has been confirmed that they were taken down as church members did not "wish to see the 'Christ' taken out of Christmas".

A spokesman for the Houston and Killellan Kirk added: "We were hoping to put the lights up with the full writing of 'Christmas' however we don't have enough time before Christmas.

"The lights will go back up as they were with 'Merry X-mas' later on today.

"It is however our property and up to us what we do to the church. I can't believe there has been such an outcry over it."

Villagers had taken to the Houston Community Council Facebook page to voice their anger.

Duncan Greenhorn posted: "My word, I actually thought I was living in a Christian country, this is an absolute scandal. Who agreed to take the lights down?"

Jamie Mcallister added: "I'm a first class Bah Humbug but it even annoys me."

Sylvia MacLeod said: "How mean is that, I thought how lovely they looked, bringing Christmas cheer to the village."

Karen Kininmonth added: "Seriously has someone objected? The sign has been the same for years! Honestly some people seriously need to listen when they go to church."