VANDALS have put lives at a slate quarry at risk by destroying radio equipment worth thousands of pounds.

The radio repeater, which provides a vital emergency link from the quarry to the outside world, was only installed a few weeks ago at Wrysgan slate quarry near Tanygrisau.

The radio was installed by Go Below for their Cwmorthin by Candle attraction.

The company is offering people the opportunity to explore an abandoned slate mine which has been untouched for decades using only candlelight.

However, due to the mine’s remote location, there is little or no mobile reception which sparked safety concerns for Go Below staff about emergency response times should someone suffer a heart attack or accident whilst in the mine.

The team installed the repeater with “great effort”, which ensured the company’s walkie-talkies have complete coverage around the old mine allowing for a far quicker response in case of emergency.

The company is now considering their future in the Ffestiniog area as it suffers “frequent vandalism” to its business ventures.

Miles Moulding of Go Below was outraged at the mindless act.

“Recognising the length of time required to alert the emergency services should one of our group suffer a heart attack, injury or similar whilst on one of our underground trips, we decided to install a radio repeater on the ridge high up about Wrysgan slate quarry,” he told the Cambrian News.

“This was done at a cost of about £2,000 to ourselves and at great effort.

“This device has shaved off up to half an hour of time to make a 999 call, which could be vital in serious medical emergency.”

“We suffer frequent vandalism and it has meant that several possible potential business avenues we were considering are simply not worth even trying."