AN ATTACK on the town clerk has led Cricklade Town Council to close its doors to villagers.

Members of the public have been barred from the High Street building following the assault on clerk Pam Swanston, which took place in front of her 80-year-old mother.

Instead of the drop-in style service villagers are used to, they will now be served through a hatch. They will not be allowed to enter The Old Weighbridge where the attack took place.

Mrs Swanston, of Pauls Croft, Crickland, said her attacker appeared to be enraged by roadworks going on in the area.

The former teacher, who is in her 40s, has been left severely shaken by the attack.

She has returned to work following the attack on Monday, July 3, but said she no longer felt safe in the office her workplace of 18 months.

Her ordeal, which lasted for more than ten minutes, began when a middle aged local man burst into the tiny office.

Blocking the only exit, he subjected Mrs Swanston and her mother to a torrent of verbal abuse before pushing his finger into her face.

He then swept up several files lying on the counter and thrust them at her before storming out.

The clerk, who is planning to press charges, said: He looked crazy. It was like he was in a world of his own. He wanted someone to vent his anger at and he chose me."

Police were called to the town council office following the attack, but no arrests have yet been made.