VANDAL WATCH: As we report on more acts of vandalism, this is the message from Swindon's Crime and Disorder squad.

VANDALS have wrecked the Swindon Round Table Christmas sleigh and caused thousands of pounds damage to the industrial unit where it was stored.

For the past 30 years, the sleigh has been a familiar sight to generations of children over the festive period. Round Tablers and friends take the roles of Santa Claus and his helpers to collect money for local charities.

But the future of the collection has been thrown into doubt because of the difficulty in building a new float in time.

Security guards discovered that vandals had run amok throughout a warehouse on the Cheney Manor industrial estate smashing windows, breaking down doors and destroying the float.

It had been dragged across the site during the attack and a large figure of Rudolph was decapitated in the process.

Swindon Round Table secretary Mark Vevers said: "This has come as a real blow. I just can't understand the mentality of those responsible.

"The float had become a Christmas tradition. The young children would line the streets and the look on their faces when they saw Santa Claus was magical. It makes me sad that these children, as well as local charities, stand to lose out because of this mindless act of vandalism. It is a Christmas tradition that has been snuffed out."

Last year, the Round Table's annual collection raised about £4,000 which was split between the Swindon Kidney Patients' Association, the Rainbow Guides and Swindon Multiple Sclerosis Society.

And now the group is appealing for individuals and businesses in the town to help meet the challenge of building a replacement sleigh by December.

The Christmas float had been stored in a warehouse that has stood otherwise empty for two years after being bought by an unnamed private investor who allowed Round Table to use it.

Until two years ago, the site was owned by German company Hoechst Trespaphane, which created industrial films such as Cellophane.

Swindon police are investigating the attack, which was discovered on Thursday. No officer was available for comment.

The club would like to hear from anyone who can provide the following:

An old caravan base.

Volunteers to help rebuild the sleigh possibly as a school or technical college project.

Materials.

Help with future storage.

Mr Vevers can be reached on Swindon 347843.

Bid to stop young thugs, page 6-7

Mr Vevers can be reached Swindon 347843