VANDALS and litter louts have struck at one of Meirionnydd’s most acclaimed beauty spots.

Over bank holiday weekend, criminals dest­royed and stole money from a recently re-installed pay and display parking meter near Llyn Tegid, Bala.

The machine, which was only put back into service following repairs on Friday, 27 May, was smashed up just a few days later on Sunday night.

There were also concerns over vast quantities of rubbish which had been left out in the sunshine, causing smells and looking unsightly for tourists and locals alike.

Representatives of Snowdonia National Park Authority have subsequently asked visitors to make sure they remove as much of their own litter as they can.

Simon Roberts, senior warden for southern Snowdonia, said: “Llyn Tegid saw one of its busiest weekends over the Whitsun Bank Holiday, which is of course very good news for this part of Snowdonia.

“However, it was very sad and disheartening to see the damage made to the pay and display machine. It was only reinstalled on Friday and by Monday morning it was damaged.

North Wales Police are investigating and are asking witnesses to contact them on 101.

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News