A GRASS pitch used by more than 200 young rugby players has been damaged by a driver who has deliberately made skids in it.

The giant ’doughnut’ tyre marks were discovered on the Tic Toc playing fields in Ystradgynlais shortly after 8am this morning.

The field is close to Maesydderwen High School and near Ystradgynalais RFC’s Recreation Ground base. One of the club’s junior coaches was shocked to see the tyre tracks that have made deep impressions on the mini and junior section’s training pitch.

A club spokesman said: "One of our junior coaches was walking his children to school and checked on the mini and juniors training area and was mortified to discover a selfish car driver had driven a vehicle over the training area and ruined it for the children.

"The police are dealing with it as criminal damage and are investigating and looking to review the CCTV as there is only one way in and one way out.

"We are all volunteers and if the person can be identified we would like to meet with them to discuss how they can repair our field. It is absolutely heartbreaking."

The club had held a regular training session last night meaning the damage had to have been caused between 8pm on Thursday, January 23 and this morning.

Ystradgynlais has more than 200 players aged from four to 16 in its mini and juniors section and the field would have been used for games this season.

Club member Tristan Davies said a similar incident has occurred in the last 12 to 18 months when people using off-road bikes tore up its pitches.

The area is used by all sections of the club and is often in use on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday nights and the club will have to look at alternative pitches.

"That area will probably be out of use for the rest of the season," said Mr Davies.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 and ask for Ystradgynlais Police Station or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800555111.