Bergen City's traditional "Gingerbread City", claimed to be the world's largest, was Saturday night completely destroyed by vandals. The city consisted of 1200-1300 "buildings", all smashed to pieces.

The city is an annual pre-Christmas project, with up to 10,000 people from the larger Bergen region participating. On Saturday, 2000 "builders" participated in setting up and decorating the more than 1000 buildings.

A few hours later the colourful display was nothing but sad ruins.

- For us this is completely unthinkable. Incomprehensible, says Gingerbread City Mayor Steinar Kristoffersen.

He is joined by Bergen Mayor Gunnar Bakke: - I am profoundly saddened and disappointed.

- Here many have worked hard to make this a positive happening for the children and the citizens of Bergen. I am shocked that it is possible to do something like this, Bakke said.

The police are investigating the vandalism, and have asked the public for information to help in the search for the vandals. A reward has been posted by a private businessman.

Bergen Mayor Bakke went on to suggest that it may still be possible to rebuild the city, and already Sunday morning NRK Radio could report that many had already started making new gingerbread houses for a new city. Professional bakers have also joined in.

(NRK)

Rolleiv Solholm