A CEREDIGION county councillor has launched a bitter attack on vandals who seriously damaged an historic coastguard lookout point on the coast path near New Quay.

Five windows at the lookout point at Bird’s Rock were smashed – some even had their wooden frames ripped out.

The observation post – situated a mile to the west of New Quay and thought to date back to the 1920s – has been looked after by a small working group and is extremely popular with walkers and bird-spotters.

Cllr Dan Potter is now offering a reward of £100 for information that will enable police to make arrests.

“It’s just pathetic – I just cannot understand the mentality of some kids these days,” he told the Cambrian News. “You can bet life an adult hasn’t done this.

“I’m just so disappointed by what’s happened – whoever’s responsible has serious mental health issues because no-one in their right minds would have done this.

“Those windows were made of toughened glass so whoever did this went up there with the express intention of causing wanton damage. So many people use it because it’s such a beautiful viewing point and, with the coast path, there are a lot more walkers these days. Unfortunately the perpetrators probably won’t get caught as there are no security cameras up on the coast path. I truly hope the person who did this feels horrible having destroyed something that’s so special to New Quay. I would urge anyone with any information to either report it to me or the local police.”

Melanie Heath, Ceredigion County Council’s Marine Protected Area Officer said: “The look-out was restored thanks to a special grant from the Crown Estate,” she added. “It is used by our Dolphin and Porpoise Watch volunteers throughout the monitoring season. It is also a special place for many local people and visitors alike to sit for a while and take in the spectacular views of Cardigan Bay.”

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