FURIOUS car salesman David Hendry is offering a £500 reward for information leading to the prosecution of vandals who cut phone lines into his showroom and office.

Mr Hendry, of David Hendry Cars in Park Street, Malmesbury, lost Internet access, the use of his fax machine and most of his incoming calls for three days after the vandals struck last Wednesday evening.

He was not the only unlucky one to be affected, as many phone lines from telegraph poles into buildings were cut, including several cables into shops in High Street as well as some near Somerfield.

"I am not happy about it at all," said Mr Hendry. "As if the floods aren't bad enough, we have to put up with this as well."

Sergeant Mike Franklin said: "It would appear that several cables have been cut at various locations in Malmesbury. There has been some suggestion it may well have been trick-or-treaters.

"However at some locations they have lifted the heavy concrete lids of junction boxes and cut through thick cabling using something like bolt cutters."

Sgt Franklin said it was more likely to have been the work of professionals looking to sell the high quality copper from the cabling.

Anyone with information can call police on (01249) 654455.