FURIOUS shopkeepers in Dolgellau have banded together to call time on ball games in the town’s square.

They claim windows are often smashed by youngsters playing football in the Eldon Square area and there are “countless” near misses.

Angharad Murgatroyd, owner of the Knit one... craft store adjacent to the square, is the latest victim of a smashed window.

“We have a real problem here in Dolgellau,” she told the Cambrian News.

“Lads come along most nights and play football in the square, we’ve asked them time and time again not to, but they don’t listen — they can be quite loud and obnoxious.

“Recently one of the balls smashed one of my windows, it caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

“The glass shattered throughout the store and it devastated my stock, nearly £3,500 worth of wool has to be replaced.

“I spent most of Sunday picking up glass but even then a customer found two more pieces when they came in a day or two later, it’s terrible for business.”

PCSO Gareth Jones said: “Following the recent incidents of criminal damage in Dolgellau police are conducting hi-visibility patrols in the area. Anyone caught causing damage could face criminal proceedings.”

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