REPEATED vandalism at Marlborough's only launderette in The Parade could force it out of business.

Owner Simon Garner, of Burbage, said the lock-up launderette has suffered worse damage over the past two months than at any time in the 17 years he has been running the business. The launderette, which was open for 98 hours a week on a serve-yourself basis, is now open for 48 hours with Mr Garner or his wife , Sue, providing an attended service.

Mr Garner believes a group of travellers from outside the town are responsible for the vandalism which has brought him to verge of closing the business.

He said: "I would probably have closed it by now if it wasn't for the fact that we know it is the only launderette in Marlborough and people rely on it.

Mr Garner said he suspected there were two or three different groups who had repeatedly wrecked his washing and drying machines over the past eight weeks and vandalised the premises.

He said he had to pay out more than £2,500 in repairs to the machines, to replace the shop door and for repairs to the ceiling which was ripped down.

Mr Garner said: "They broke open the cash boxes on the washing machines and helped themselves to free electricity. They ripped the tops off the machines and smashed the fronts off.

"They tried to get up through the ceiling either to get to the backs of the dryers or in an attempt to get up through into the antiques shop next door."

There had also been instances of waste bins being defecated in and also of people urinating on the floor.

He said he did not think installing closed circuit TV surveillance would help. "It would be absolutely pointless. If they were taken to court they would only disappear out of the area."

Police are aware of the vandalism and are keeping an eye on the launderette.