A FIRE at a Gwent beauty spot caused more than £120,000 of damage.

The blaze at Cwmbran's boating lake's storage building destroyed equipment and 40 rowing boats stored at the facility.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene in Llanyravon.

Two tenders from Cwmbran and 10 firefighters attended but the timber building burnt to the ground.

Emergency services were alerted by a member of the public driving past at the time.

Gwent Police are now handling investigations as to the cause of the fire.

PC Darrell Dewar, of Cwmbran Police Station, said: "We are treating the incident as suspicious but at the moment nothing is suggesting it is an arson attack."

Forensic specialists have examined the scene for clues.

The news of the attack shocked the community.

Councillor John Cunningham, executive member for operational services and performance, was sad such the building, owned by Torfaen Council, had been burnt down.

"The boating lake is a major attraction in Torfaen with thousands of visitors each weekend," he said.

"It is very sad.

"The council need to decide how facilities are restored prior to the busy summer period and what the best long term options will be to ensure the lake remains an attractive destination for people of all ages in Torfaen and beyond."