A SECURITY guard at a Trowbridge shopping centre has been charged with causing £24,000 of damage to two shops he was hired to protect.

Police officers arrested 23-year-old guard Matthew Holly after being called to The Shires shopping precinct at 11.20pm on Sunday, following reports of a burglary.

Holly, of Holmeleaze, Steeple Ashton, appeared before Chippenham magistrates yesterday to face two charges of criminal damage relating to £10,000 of damage at Ottakar's bookstore, and £14,000 of damage at Holland & Barrett health food shop. No plea was entered.

Shires manager Steve Murray confirmed this week he had taken action against a member of staff following an incident at the precinct, but would not comment further about the damage.

Businesses were left counting the cost of a day's lost trade when their staff were left clearing-up a trail of damage running into a five-figure sum.

The two shops were forced to close on Monday so staff could fix broken windows, smashed interiors and mop up pools of blood. Shopping centre staff were drafted in to help with the day-long operation. John Howells, a spokesman for Ottakar's, said assistant manager John Hayes discovered the damage when he responded to an alarm call.

"Everything was in complete disarray. It was chaotic. There was extensive disruption and damage," he said.

"One of our heavy wooden dump bins was thrown right through the other shop's window.

"Books had been thrown all over the place, with some lying on the concourse. All of the windows were smashed."

Tracey Cansill, who has managed Holland & Barrett for the past 12 years, said she had been called at midnight to survey the damage to her store.

"There was glass and stock everywhere," she said.

"Something like this is completely unexpected. I have never seen anything this bad in my whole career.

"When you have everything boarded up you cannot hear the customers' reactions, but I am sure it has been a conversation point."

Holly was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear before magistrates again on June 24 when the case will be sent to Swindon Crown Court.