A GARDEN created for families to scatter their loved one’s ashes in Barry Cemetery has been targeted – for a second time within the space of just over a month .

Red stones were discovered to have been "kicked around" and flowers de-headed in the scatter garden.

Former Barry Town Council mayor, Cllr Janice Charles, officially launched the new scatter garden in Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, on Wednesday, December 19.

The garden was created in response to many enquiries from members of the public asking for a place where they can scatter the ashes of their loved ones and visit in peaceful and tranquil surrounding.

The garden is heart-shaped and around the main garden there are three flower beds which have been planted with a variety of bulbs which will flower throughout the year to enhance the beauty of this area and to highlight the heart effect itself.

Barry Town Council cemeteries and facilities manager, Amanda Evans said: “It is with great sadness that on inspection of the scatter garden on 3rd July 2019 and yet again on the 6th August 2019 it was found to have been vandalised whereby the heart-shape red stones has been “kicked" around and the flowers themselves have been de-headed which has caused a great deal of distress to both colleagues whom work at the cemetery visitors and, of course relatives of those resting there.

“We have also been receiving complaints that items are going missing from the cemetery and flowers are being removed from love ones graves again causing much distress for visiting families.”

She added: “Since April of this year, through listening to the families and friends who use the cemetery, it was agreed to extend the opening hours to 7pm through the summer months - 1st April – 30th September which we are happy to do.

“Staff have been informed of recent events and developments and have been asked to be extra vigilant.

“I respectfully ask that visitors or members of the public who see any suspicious behaviour do not approach individuals themselves but report it to a member of staff.

Call 01446 738663 to report any concerns.