A TOWN centre public garden has been subject to vandalism and community centre staff and police are keen to trace the culprits.

Castleland Community Centre’s Belvedere Park garden, in Barry, has been forced to close while management assess the damage.

Insurers and police have been contacted and the staff and volunteers apologised for any inconvenience the closure would cause while appealing for assistance to help with repairs.

Castleland community centre manager Helen Jones said the damage had been done sometime last week and had been reported to the police.

“The coping and rendering has been stripped off the retaining wall and smashed up and also the benches have been vandalised,” she said.

“We don't know how much it is going to cost to repair the damage yet, but unfortunately the garden remains closed until everything has been assessed and safe to use again.

“It would be a great help if there were any local businesses who could help with re-rendering and volunteers to help tidy up the garden.”

A South Wales police spokeswoman confirmed that damage to a stone wall at a park near Castleland Community Centre, Belvedere Crescent, Barry, was reported to the force on Monday, August 6.

Anyone with information on this incident can call 101 quoting 1800297073 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.