A MACHINE that will be used by Swindon's young offenders to clear up graffiti has hit the streets.

As revealed in Tuesday's Evening Advertiser, the 'graffiti buster' is designed to eradicate graffiti from walls, shops and fences.

Swindon MP Julia Drown and the town's mayor, Stan Pajak, joined a throng of Park South residents for the official launch in Cavendish Square.

Ms Drown, MP for South Swindon, said: "The launch is not only of the machine but also of the strong partnership between Swindon Services and Swindon probation service.

"I can't help thinking about Ghostbusters, but graffiti is the serious issue here and we are going to tackle the problems.

"One tag on a wall invites another tag and eventually it wears the area down. People don't feel safe in areas with graffiti and it has a big impact on businesses.

Coun Pajak (Lib Dem, Eastcott) said: "Graffiti is a terrible problem and puts people off using facilities. The machine will help to remove the fear of crime."

Encasing a 1200cc engine, the graffiti buster's power is equivalent to that of a small car. It is financed through a £36,000 grant from the Home Office.

The high-powered washer, which uses a mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda to clean off spray paint, will be used to clean the borough's buildings by some of those responsible for defacing them.

Tony Ryan, the community service manager for the probation service, saw the prototype for the graffiti buster in Durham and brought it to Swindon.

Mr Ryan, who is responsible for 500 offenders across the county, said: "It would be ideal if offenders caught spray painting were given the task of removing it. We will be using it three or four times a week for whole day sessions."

Last year Wiltshire received 50,000 hours' worth of community work, 60 per cent of which was in Swindon.