THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage has been caused in an attempted break-in at a Trowbridge-based charity for the homeless.

Thieves broke an oil pipe trying to get in to the Duke Street base of Action on Homelessness on Saturday, causing up to 200 litres of paraffin to spill out onto asphalt.

Manager Marco Van Tintelen said: "It has caused quite considerable damage and is going to cost thousands of pounds. The paraffin has been eating the Tarmac.

"It is right next to the ignition boiler and could easily have set on fire. Hopefully it will be covered by insurance but a lot of the costs will be down to us.

"It was somebody who knows our building which is very upsetting because it is somebody we have helped. The staff are shocked by it."

Specialist fire crews had to be called in to clear up the paraffin after the incident, which took place at sometime between Friday afternoon and 4.30pm on Saturday.

Mr Van Tintelen said: "We are writing to residents, especially in light of what happened at the weekend, to apologise if they were affected by the fire brigade and police activity.

"Our relationship with our neighbours is very important to us. We try to be low key as we realise not everybody understands. We believe they know how important our work is but so is our relationship with the community."

It is thought the would-be thieves panicked and ran off after the burglar alarm sounded. Nothing was stolen, but the charity has not been able to use its heating since, in case it sparks off a fire. Action on Homelessness, which helps people from across Wiltshire, started 11 years ago and has been based in Trowbridge for the past six years.

At least 10 new clients a week come to the centre for help and the charity continues to run mainly through the goodwill of unpaid volunteers.

Each person is assessed as they come in for help and the charity's Smart-move project helps them to find somewhere to live, usually in private rented accommodation.

The centre helps people to get back on their feet, catering for basic needs such as shower and toilet facilities as well as helping clients fill out benefit or job application forms.

Those who want to improve their chances of finding employment can also learn IT and computer skills and basic literacy and numeracy.

Anyone with any information on the incident can contact Trowbridge police on (01225) 763101.