FURIOUS bowlers are seeing red after vandals ripped up part of their green. Horrified officials of Pontnewydd Bowls Club, in Pontnewydd, near Cwmbran, arrived at the premises on Saturday morning to find parts of the green had been reduced to clumps of mud and grass, with large slabs from a nearby wall strewn across the surface.

The club, whose new season is eight weeks away, believes teenagers are responsible for the damage - and claims the attack is the latest in a series in and around the park where the green is situated.

Now frustrated members say something must be done to stop their prized green being used as an unofficial playground.

Secretary John Franklin, 69, told the Argus: "On Friday night the vandals got in and have pulled up big slabs and thrown them on to the green.

"Part of the green is badly damaged and the council will have a big job on their hands to repair it."

Mr Franklin claimed: "Kids aged around 13 to 15 come into the park and used to congregate and drink alcohol. They come here most nights and ride their bicycles on the green, play football, and some of the damage last night has been caused by golf clubs - they have got no respect for anything or anyone."

Mr Franklin said the police and Torfaen council were aware of the problem - but vandalism continued to be a problem.

He said: "Parents have to take more responsibility - these children are using the money they are given to buy drink."

The club's vice-chairman and landlord of the village's Old Bridgend Inn, Kevin Dwyer, added: "They did similar damage last year and something must be done about it or it could lead to vigilantes waiting for these people."

The cost of repairs, which is not yet known, is expected to be met by the borough council. Inspector Steve Taylor, based at Gwent Police headquarters, Croesyceiliog, confirmed slabs had damaged the green and branded the culprits "malicious individuals".

He said officers would be closely monitoring the bowling green and anyone with information should contact Cwmbran police on 01633 838999.

*PICTURED: Bowls club vice-chairman Kevin O'Dwyer with one of the slabs thrown by vandals.