THIEVES removed a commemorative plaque hours after it was unveiled in a Gwent community by the local Assembly Member.

Volunteers of the Islwyn Canal Association are devastated by the loss of the plaque. It represents all their hard work cleaning a stretch of canal between Navigation Road and Gelli Avenue in Risca.

"It's soul destroying. A lot of people have put a great deal of their own time and efforts into restoring the canal, then a mindless idiot comes along and does this," said Richard Wysom, secretary of the Islwyn Canal Association.

"It was reported to us by a jogger on Sunday morning - it was only unveiled by Irene James on Saturday afternoon, it just beggars belief." The plaque marked two years of hard work by the community and Islwyn Canal Association, who rejuvenated the canal, with the backing of Caerphilly council and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Trust.

"Two years ago it was full of rubbish and overgrown, and volunteers have brought it up to the standard it is today," said Mr Wysom.

The aim of Saturday's canal awareness day and official plaque unveiling was to ensure visitors realised the canal's full potential for leisure activities. £2 to £3 million was spent on dredging and clearing.

Andy Harris, crime and disorder reduction officer at Risca, said: "It's frustrating because this is of no real monetary value, but it is of great importance to the community and the volunteers who did the work. "We are appealing for witnesses to this incident, which happened on Saturday night."

There is a reward for information leading to the arrest of the thieves and the return of the plaque. Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, or Risca police on 01633 612391.