Three naked drunken “idiots” are being blamed for uprooting a Christmas tree decorated by children.

Bemused passers-by spotted the young men repeatedly hurling themselves at the tree in The Green in Winchmore Hill as pubs were closing on Friday evening.

The tree, which was pulled from the ground under the unwelcome strain, was covered with decorations created by children in workshops in the lead-up to Christmas. 

Councillor Martin Prescott, who leads Winchmore Hill, is trying to track down the three un-wise men for failing to display a true sense of Christmas spirit.

He said: “There must be a couple of wives or girlfriends saying ‘where did you get all those scratches from?’

“I have never been in that situation to be honest so I can’t understand what was going through their minds. It must have been incredibly painful.”

It remains uncertain why the men were naked and why they decided to repeatedly throw themselves at the Christmas tree.

It was planted the day before the St Nicholas Fair on Saturday December 8, which saw hundreds of people visit The Green to enjoy horse and carriage rides, a petting zoo, music, dancing and food and drink.

However, it is now leaning at an unnatural angle and Cllr Prescott is concerned if it is not soon re-planted, it will die.

Witnesses reported the incident to Enfield Police just before 11.30pm, who are investigating the reports of the mysterious men.

Ann Humphrey, who lives in Winchmore Hill is unsure as to how such an unusual situation could have arisen.

She said: “It’s unbelievable. I guess these things happen but I just don’t understand – it’s sort of funny in some respects but how do people do that?”

She said children “loved” making decorations for the tree and said it is a shame that naked “idiots” have ruined something that was created for the community.

She said she is sure children will be sad to hear their Christmas decorations have been removed from the tree while it is in a sorry state.

Cllr Prescott is in talks with Enfield Borough Council to replant the tree in time for Christmas.