SUPPORTERS of Swindon’s vandalised heritage railway rallied together to help pay for expensive repairs that could cost as much as £3,000.

Swindon and Cricklade Railway volunteers did not let a fresh spate of vandalism disrupt their summer holiday schedule as they hosted three children’s treasure hunts over the bank holiday weekend.

Secretary Roger Barber said: “It was gutting, I can't understand the mindset of these people, but you can either give up or keep plugging along.

"The police have given us a lot of support and we are being vigilant but I worry that it will happen again.

"It's put a huge load on us because these windows are integral to the carriage and you have to half-dismantle them to take the windows out so it could take months to fix.

"It's deflecting us from our main focus to extend the line but the support from visitors has been very gratifying."

A fundraising page set up by Anneli Howes raised more than £600 in just over a day.

Stephen Field said: “Credit to them for just getting on with it. All railway enthusiasts should turn up and travel on the railway or donate to the rescue fund. Keep up the good work.”

Volunteer Robin Nash said: “As volunteers, it can be very dispiriting to see the hard work destroyed in an instant, but we can’t let this minority beat us.

“So it’s important that we carry on with our scheduled events and think of the goodwill from the majority of the public.”

Lisa Hewer said: “Shocking needless behaviour. Saddened to read you’ve been targeted again.”

This is far from the first time that the railway has been targeted by vandals.

In 2016, a fire destroyed a vintage Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit train valued at £100,000 that volunteers had just spent months refurbishing. The insurance paid out just 15 per cent of its worth.

Then, in 2017, graffiti ruined the paintwork of a DMU train and a Moonraker dining car. That same car is now undergoing restoration but had six windows broken by vandals earlier this week.

Other damage included a window each on a carriage used for school holiday activities, a newly-acquired refurbished exhibition coach and a specialised track maintenance vehicle, as well as most of the windows on the Mk1 BR Brake Coach which was awaiting restoration.

Anyone with information should call Wiltshire Police on 101 and ask to speak to PC Teresa Herbert.

To donate to the repair effort, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/vandalism-recovery-swindonandcricklade