HIGHWORTH'S open air swimming pool could be forced to close after a third vandalism attack in just six weeks.

The pool was closed after teen-agers covered the sides in broken glass.

The pool, at Highworth Recreation Centre, is run by a charitable trust, and committee chairman Phil Baker has threatened to close it for the rest of the summer if the vandalism continues.

The committee spent £18,000 on re-painting the pool in the winter but two weeks after its opening at the end of April, vandals caused £1,000 worth of damage by climbing in over its perimeter wall and wrecking a lifeguard's chair and other equipment.

Mr Baker said: "We had to delay the opening after another attack.

"It could have been much worse though. If any of the glass had made its way into the pool's system then we would have had to empty and refill it, which takes ten days and costs up to £5,000 in lost revenue.

"This does threaten the future of the pool because as a charity we cannot afford to keep losing money. If it continues we will have to shut for the rest of the season."

Police officers in Highworth are working with Swindon Borough Council, which jointly runs the pool, to find a solution to the problem that has blighted it for years.

In August last year £5,000 worth of damage was caused by thugs who smashed benches and sun loungers and hurled them into the pool, ripping the £2,000 pool cover.

The vandals are believed to be youths who break in by scaling the wall late at night after drinking on the recreation ground.

A police spokesman said: "It is difficult to imagine the mindless attitude and actions of those responsible, because not only is glass debris dangerous to people who use the pool particularly young children but also their reckless behaviour could be hazardous to their own safety."

Regular pool users have called on police to catch the trespassers.

Gerry Smith, 54, from Highworth, who works at BP and uses the pool almost daily said: "We will lose this facility if this does not stop and that is distressing because it is the only facility in Highworth.

"I wish there was a reason why they vandalise it but there isn't."