COMMUNITY leaders are appealing to residents of a Valleys village to unite and save their community centre.

Three years ago Penllwyn, in Pontllanfraith, celebrated when its £421,000 Millennium Centre opened, but vandals have repeatedly attacked it.

Voluntary organisation Gavo, which is based at the centre, is discussing leaving after staff were repeatedly threatened by youths. If Gavo leave the centre will lose a vital £3,000 of rent and the security of having full-time occupants.

Penllwyn Councillor Gwyn Price said: "If Gavo is forced to leave it will be hard to keep the centre open."

Assistant director of Gavo in Caerphilly, Mike Bridgman, said: "I appeal to parents to speak to their children and stop this terrible behaviour. They are good people in Penllwyn, it is only a small number doing this, but the community must unite or they will lose all the services at the centre."

The vandalism has cost thousands of pounds and although the centre is insured there are concerns the premium could become prohibitively expensive.

Windows and doors have been destroyed, rocks have been thrown on to the roof, smashing tiles, and the fascia at the front of the building has been destroyed. A new alarm system, shutters and a camera have been fitted for extra security but Gavo says the problem is getting worse.

Each morning staff waste an hour clearing broken bottles, food and rubbish from the front of the building.

Mr Bridgman said: "I don't want to pull out, we helped set up the centre, but I have a responsibility to my staff.

"They are being threatened and feel unsafe. This can't go on."

Rosaline Morgan, secretary of the Millennium Centre Funding Committee, said it would be "awful" if the centre were to close.

"We do all we can but we need people to help us or it will be lost to everyone."

The centre, on Manor Road, was set up with a lottery grant and is widely used by community groups, including youth groups, mother and toddler groups, church groups, OAPs, a karate club, and a line-dancing club.

Carol Gilbert, of Edgehill, in Penllwyn, has used the centre since it was set up and says the destruction is heartbreaking.

"We get abuse when we go and the kids write horrible things on the doors," she said.

Councillor Price added: "Every day something new has been done. I appeal to everybody to stand up to the vandals and stop this."

* Police want anyone who knows who is responsible for the vandalism to contact Blackwood station on 01495 223673.