Cruel vandals have destroyed bird nests at a Llanidloes woodland.

The community has been left devastated after eggs were found smashed in their nests after rocks were placed on top of them at Allt Goch woods earlier this week.

Ten nests were targeted, and only two of them, believed to be blue tits, survived.

Ceri Jones, Allt Goch Nest Box Project co-ordinator, said she has been left heartbroken.

"I can't believe someone could do such a thing," she said. "Rocks have literally been thrown on eggs and nests. Two out of the ten managed to fledge chicks, the rest are all dead."

Ceri added: “Llani is such an amazing community, that's why it's so devastating. People can't believe that they've got someone among them that would do that.

"I'm really concerned that it will happen again.”

Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating the incident which is believed to have happened some time between 8.30pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday.

Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust tweeted that they were “extremely saddened to hear about the destruction of 10 bird nests” which included the red-listed species, Pied Flycatcher.

“This is a wildlife crime and is being investigated. Please be kind and look out for nature during shutdown,” they added.

Anyone who has information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by phoning 101 and quoting reference DP-20200520-215.