Hospital managers are being forced to spend thousands of pounds of NHS money to keep vandals at bay.

Staff at Witney Community Hospital keep finding parts of the Welch Way grounds damaged.

In the latest incident, on Friday night, 6ft wooden fence panels were smashed by intruders, who then switched off a water pump to an ornamental fish pond.

Staff were able to save some fish when they arrived for work the next morning. Four weeks ago, a bed of 40 rhododendron bushes was destroyed. Vandals have also damaged vehicles in the car park.

Julia Poynter, hospital administrator, said: "Again, this just cranks up the bill, trying to make the site more secure.

"We are talking about thousands of pounds, which is all NHS money. This really is not a good use of public money, is it? We are, frankly, sick and tired of it. The police have been informed each time, but so far no one has been caught."

Metal fencing sunk in concrete blocks have now been put up to improve security on one side of the hospital. And the lower branches of a tree, which could be used to climb into the site, will also be lopped.

Anyone with information about the incidents can call police on 0800 555 111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.