A Builth Wells burger van owner has been left heartbroken after vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to her catering unit over the weekend.

Sarah Mason has run The Diner Mobile Catering van for the last four years in the town with her husband Nigel.

The couple, who are originally from Builth but live in Llandrindod Wells, were disappointed to find that vandals had put a hole in the roof in the early hours of Saturday, October 2, allowing water into the van during the wet weather.

Mrs Mason said: “It was after midnight on Friday night, so the early hour of Saturday morning and they’d gone through the roof which is a big job to fix in itself.

“We didn’t notice it immediately, but because of the rain and the terrible weather we had, it caused the electrics in the van to go.”

Mrs Mason said it is thanks to the generosity of others in Builth that they have managed to patch the van up until it can be repaired properly.

“Thankfully, due to the generosity of the public, we have managed to patch it up. Two local businesses came and helped us to patch it up until we can afford to get it repaired,” she said.

“There’s been a burger van on the site for 14 years - it’s been to the Royal Welsh multiple times and there’s never been any trouble. It’s just heartbreaking.”

Despite suggestions from others in the area that it could be some of the local young people, Mrs Mason said she is certain they are not responsible.

She said they often have a car in the area to assist lost visitors from the show ground and that they have a good relationship with local young people.

She said: “In my heart of hearts, I don’t believe it was any of the local young people. I know they wouldn’t do this.”

The Friday night vandals also targeted the The Diner Mobile Catering company’s homes unit where they keep tables which are used to offer free food to those who cannot afford to eat.

They had also taken and damaged signage belonging to the burger van before discarding it by the roundabout which connects the A470 and the A483 - near Tuffins and the Co-Op petrol station.

Mrs Mason said: “There’s lots of debris, the signage is damaged and thrown around, there’s traffic cones thrown around - it’s almost loutish behaviour. We have been given some information from people about who they believe it is and if that is the case, then we know it’s not local people.”

The police have been informed about the vandalism which left the burger van in need of a completely new roof as well as partial new electrics.

Mrs Mason said: “It will be a good couple of thousands - it will be around £3,000 to £4,000 just for the roof. We are very thankful to the building company who helped us to patch it up for now.”

The Diner Mobile Catering was forced to close its doors on Sunday as a result of the damage to the catering van.

The business posted to Facebook: ”We are so sorry but we have no choice but to close today due to the recent vandalism to our catering van.

“Please bear with us while we try to repair until insurance can help us. If you know anything about the incident on Friday night please report to the police with the crime reference number.

“A lot of awful behaviour happened that night in this area with stuff being thrown and taken so we hope someone aught more info on camera. Thank you and sorry to our customers.”

Anybody with information should contact Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101, quoting reference DP-20211002-282.

A force spokesman said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of criminal damage caused to a catering van on October 2 in Station Road, Builth Wells. We are currently investigating and enquiries are ongoing.”