VANDALS are being hunted who set council recycling and litter bins on fire beside a town lake.

The culprits had dragged the recycling bin from a car park in the centre of Newent owned by the Forest of Dean Council.

Then it was emptied and set on fire, alongside the litter bin beside Newent Lake.

The damage was discovered on Sunday morning, May 19, by an employee of Newent Town Council.

Town deputy mayor Cllr Christine Howley said: “The council is disappointed that anyone would carry out this act of vandalism.

“This was extremely dangerous and it’s lucky the fire did not spread further.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 108 of May 20, or the council on 01531 820638.