Ref. 29761-75WROUGHTON library will be closed for several days after an attack by vandals .

Library staff were greeted by a scene of destruction when they arrived for work yesterday.

Vandals had caused thousands of pounds worth of damage by smashing windows and doors.

The devastation was discovered by the cleaner, who was the first to arrive.

Seven windows and two doors were smashed with bricks in a sustained attack.

PC Karl Dolder, who is investigating the attack, is amazed that no one appeared to have heard the damage being done.

He said: "We were dumbfounded that we didn't receive any calls last night.

"We have no doubt that a lot of noise would have been caused.

"It wasn't just in a localised area of the building. It was along the front and the side."

The building, which is close to the Ellendune Centre, was immediately closed on safety grounds, although users were met at the door by librarians to enable them to return their books on time.

A library spokeswoman said the building was expected to remain closed for a couple of days while a specialist clean-up team made it safe and repairs were carried out to the windows and doors.

The total cost of the damage is not yet known.

Lead council member for libraries Justin Tomlinson (Con) said: "It is extremely disappointing news..

"We will be doing our level best to make sure that the library service gets back to normal for people in Wroughton as soon as possible."

PC Dolder appealed for anyone who might have seen or heard anything between Monday night and yesterday morning, especially youths in the vicinity of the library, to call Swindon police on 01793 528111.

Tina Clarke