A VOLUNTEER at a popular tourist venue between Oswestry and Welshpool has said 'enough is enough' and has called to an end of vandalism at the site.

The Llanymynech Limeworks is an ancient monument and Local Nature Reserve owned by Shropshire Council near the England/Wales border and has been the focus of anti-social behaviour going back a number of years.

Bob Cotter, a volunteer at the Limeworks, says he has begun to record a timeline of damage face by the Grade II-listed buildings, including the famous Hoffman Kiln.

He said: "In 2005 we received a £900,000 Lottery grant to refurbish the buildings and general area as we have Grade II-listed buildings with the Hoffmann Kiln and associated chimney and two draw kilns.

"The refurbished Stables Block is available for hire and used by many locals including schoolchildren to learn about the history of the site.

"The area consists of paths through woodland and fields, following the routes of the old railways and tramways which criss-crossed the site.

"he associated limestone quarry on the hill is managed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust on the English side and by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust on the Welsh side.

"Since the inception of our website we have had an increase in the number of visitors to the site and the small car park is frequently at capacity.

"A small band of volunteers work to maintain the site, clearing overgrown areas and removing fallen or dangerous trees, and the fences, gates and buildings all need attention, so there is always a list of things to do.

"The area has been plagued by vandals for some time and I started recording incidents after I became a volunteer at the Heritage Area."

According to his timeline, Bob says damage to the buildings started around May 2019 with the theft of a wooden gate, all the way up to last week when a leaflet holder in the car park was smashed.

Other offences, according to Bob, include bricks smashed out of the Hoffman Kiln, stable windows smashed, fires lit with rubbish in the kiln and the grill smashed out of shape.

Bob added: "The police have been contacted and do visit the area, but have been unable to stop the constant vandalism.

"They have again been contacted by Shaun Burkey, countryside heritage sites manager at Shropshire Council, with a view to providing a higher profile in the evenings and at weekends.

"Somehow, we need to stop the damage being done to this important historical site so that we can preserve the area for future generations."

Anyone who wishes to report vandalism can do so by calling 101.