Vandals have caused thousands of pounds of damage at Machynlleth’s Plas, smashing fencing and tables, as well as a defibrillator.

The damage was caused in the early hours of Monday and Machynlleth Town Council clerk Jim Griffiths told the Cambrian News that the incident had been reported to police.

CCTV footage has also been handed to the police, after three men were caught on camera damaging a boundary fence at the community garden, as well as smashing gates, before damaging the defibrillator, bins and picnic tables.

Town mayor Monica Atkins, said: “I am very disappointed at what’s happened. As the mayor of Machynlleth I ask people to please not harass the town in this way. It’s such a nice little town. I hope that they will find who is responsible.”

Mr Griffiths said he expects the damage will end up costing thousands of pounds.

He said: “At 5.15 this morning, three men decided that it would be of great benefit to the community if they helped rearrange the community garden boundary fence near the Plas, by mindlessly trashing it and smashing the gates.

“They then decided to smash the defibrillator and all the bins along with the picnic tables outside the Plas.

"This has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and we ask the community to come together and help identify the three."

See this week’s Machynlleth & Llanidloes paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now