RESIDENTS in Codford have invited the police to attend a meeting to help stop spiralling vandalism.

Inspector Geoff Miles of Warminster and Westbury police is due to attend a parish council meeting next month.

Chairman Romy Wyeth hopes councillors and officers can come up with an action plan.

She said: "We are inviting the police and a representative of West Wiltshire Housing Society. I hope this will be a positive step."

The village has a history of vandalism which has forced an elderly couple to move.

Maurice and Barbara Cotton decided to leave their house in the High Street after teenagers attacked their home with sticks and stones and scratched their car.

Last week Bill Meaden, 70, called the police after children threw wood and an iron bar over his fence.

He said: "They hit my kitchen window but it didn't break. I also had my car tyre slashed 12 months ago. I'm really cheesed off and something needs to be done to make an example of these kids."

A public meeting was called before Christmas after youths tore a sign off the village hall and tried to set light to another. St Peter's Church has also been a target with stained glass windows smashed.