MEMBERS of a Gwent sports facility are counting the cost after a break-in by vandals.

The Cefn Fforest Pavilion and Welfare changing rooms is facing a bill of up to £4,000 after their kitchen and toilets facilities were smashed and paint was tipped everywhere.

The malicious culprits even ruined two murals inscribed with words 'Welcome to the Village' and 'Come on the Village' and instead daubed an obscenity on it with paint.

The break-in, which occurred sometime during the early hours of Tuesday, comes less than a year after the facility was completely redecorated throughout by New Deal workers.

Money will be spent on improving security at the site on top of the extensive bill for repairing and redecorating the vandalised areas. Local football and rugby teams due to play at the facility this weekend have had to rearrange their fixtures elsewhere.

The facility at Blackwood Showfield was also vandalised over the weekend. The windows near the bowling green were smashed and doors were kicked in. In all, it will cost £600 to repair.

Keith Perkins, outdoor facility manager for Caerphilly county borough council, said: "This was wilful vandalism and it is very disappointing. We are trying to improve the facility but when you get incidents like this, it puts everything back because you have to take money out of the budget for improvements to pay for redecorating and beefing up security."

Anyone with information should call Blackwood Police on 01495 223673.