Vandals are hampering Ebbw Vale Town Band's efforts to raise funds to take part at the Lower Section National Finals in Harrogtae later this year.

£5,000 cost

The 30 or so players, with an average age of about 16, are raising £5,000 to cover the cost of the trip, but band committee member Yvonne Stone said vandalism at the band hall in Tyllwyn had cost thousands of pounds in repairs over the past few years.

Since Christmas, stones have been thrown and smashed the top of the door and smashed a glass window around the sideEbbw Vale Band

Damage

"Since Christmas, stones have been thrown and smashed the top of the door and smashed a glass window around the side," she said.

"We've also had tiles broken with the stones and the security light has been broken."

Further details of the story can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7979230.stm