HOSPITAL managers are set to spend 'thousands of pounds' of NHS money in a bid to keep vandals at bay.

Staff at Witney Community Hospital said they were tired of coming into work and finding damage to the Welch Way grounds - opposite the police station.

In the latest incident, 6ft-high wooden fencing panels were smashed by intruders, who then switched off a water pump to an ornamental fish pond.

Fortunately, staff who arrived the next morning, were able to salvage dozens of goldfish, who were within inches of being left high and dry.

The vandalism happened on Friday night, and comes after a series of incidents - the last one four weeks ago, when a bed of 40 rhododendron bushes was destroyed.

Hospital administrator, Julia Poynter, said: "We are talking about thousands of pounds, which is all NHS money. This really is not a good use of public money, is it?

"We are, frankly, sick and tired of it. The police have been informed each time, but so far, no one has been caught. To me, it's obviously just one or two individuals who seem to have it in for us."

Vandals have also damaged the cars of staff and visitors in the hospital car park.

Temporary building site metal panels, standing in concrete blocks, have been linked together to improve security on one side of the hospital.

The lower branches of a tree, which can be used to climb and leap over into the site, are also to be lopped away.

Ms Poynter said they did not want the place to become a fortress, but that the extra security measures were needed.

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