A CALNE hotel, which survived the second of two near fatal blazes in February, has been targeted by thieves days before its reopening.

Dee Comrie, the manager of the White Hart Hotel, said burglars broke into the bar overnight on August 9, stole the juke box stereo system and helped themselves to alcohol, cigars and crisps.

The next day thieves stole the van belonging to the hotel's owner Donal O'Dwyer. It was later found burnt out.

Mr O'Dwyer, who has invested nearly £250,000 in refurbishing the 16th century coach house, said he has had his fair share of bad luck since he became the owner of the White Hart last November, but he is confident the revamped hotel will prove a big hit.

"We have been through an awful lot and we're not going to let this stop us," he said. "We have had a lot of luck, but sadly it's all been bad.

Ms Comrie said after the thieves broke in on August 9 she found used glasses back on their shelves and crisp packets and empty bottles in the bin. Four bottles of wine, spirits, liquors and a box of crisps were also missing.

"They obviously had a few drinks, but they were very considerate and cleared up after them," she said.

In February the hotel's former assistant manager Kelly Wiggins woke sleeping guests when an early morning blaze broke out at the hotel.

Six fire engines and 35 firefighters rescued two of the guests, who climbed out of their window on to the porch. In another blaze almost three years earlier two hotel guests saved the lives of former manager Tish Orlandi and her ten-year-old daughter Giulia.

The hotel has been revamped and Mr O'Dwyer said he is optimistic about the future."We're trying to provide a quality product and a very high standard of service," he said.