VODAFONE is beefing up security at its empty former Cellular Operations building after the Evening Advertiser revealed vandals had attacked it.

Two of the toughened glass panes of what has been hailed as one of Swindon's most innovative structures were left in shards on the ground.

The building, near Peatmoor Lagoon, has been empty since the end of last year.

That was when Vodafone, which had acquired Cellular Operations, decided its 500 staff were surplus to requirements.

Vodafone spokesman Toby Robson said: "We do have a 24-hour-a-day security presence at the site but we are reviewing the arrangements to find out how this happened and make sure it does not happen again.

"It appears that a couple of the windows have been smashed and they are now being repaired."

Mr Robson said he was not sure how the windows had been broken. However, they are near an ornamental rockery, which was part of the landscaping carried out on Cellular Operations' behalf before the £6m building opened in January 2000.

Mr Robson revealed that Vodafone planned to put the building on the market freehold but he said no potential buyers had yet emerged.

Local councillor Nick Martin (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) believes the car park next to the building would be suitable as a large playground for children, and ideal for skateboarding and rollerblading.

He says that whoever smashed the outer windows may not have stopped at that, because inner doors have also been damaged.

Mr Robson was unable to give a precise inventory of damage to the building.