POLICE are investigating criminal damage to banners in what is believed to be an effort to sabotage a campaign against The Range.

The discount furniture store has applied to build a storage and distribution centre for the South, as well as a retail unit, opposite Cepen Park North.

More than 930 protesters signed an online petition against the plan amid fears it would bring pollution, traffic congestion and flooding risk, as well as being a threat to town centre shops because of its 65,000 product lines.

But more than 475 people have signed a rival petition in favour of The Range, saying Chippenham badly needs the 1,000 jobs the firm has promised to create.

The 'Say No to The Range' supporters have now had banners on the A420 vandalised.

Police said they were studying CCTV footage after five signs were damaged, the first on December 15.

Three near Allington Farm Shop were slashed shortly before 1am on Tuesday, January 6. Any witnesses can call 101.

Howard Ham, 67, co-ordinator of Allington Action Group, said: “They’ve gone around the edges like the top on a coffee jar so it’s just fallen out. If they’re so incensed they could just put a yes poster beside it rather than feel the need to do this.”

He said the 6ft by 4 ft banners had cost £30-35 each and said their A4 posters were also ripped down regularly.

He said a “concerned local”, who wants to remain anonymous, had offered a £1,000 reward for information resulting in a conviction.

John Snell, of Farleigh Close, a retired garden centre worker who started the petition in support of The Range, said: “I don’t know who would do a thing like that. I’ve not put any posters up, it doesn’t matter how many are for or against, it’s the council that will decide.”

Wiltshire Council has extended the deadline for comments to February 5. Email developmentmanagementnorth@wiltshire.gov.uk with reference 14/11556/FUL.

Plans will be on display at Chippenham Town Hall on Friday, January 9, 1pm-7pm and on Saturday, January 10, 10am-2pm.