Cadw has been accused of 'archaeological vandalism' over work taking place at Tintern Abbey.

Plans to fit solar panels to the roof of the Abbey's visitor centre and update the heating system with a ground-source pump system were submitted to Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) in January.

But residents are upset that work has started before a planning decision has been made.

Contractors moved into the site on Monday and started drilling bore-holes for the new heating system yesterday (Tuesday 26th February).

"They are 300 feet down in the first bore-hole, why are Cadw above the law?" said Richard Simpson, who lives across the river from the Abbey.

"There is an ancient quay there and they are drilling without planning permission.

"It is a listed site and there should be an exploratory dig before any work takes place. This is archaeological vandalism.

"The visitor centre is already built across a public footpath and MCC should take that into account when dealing with this."

At the time of going to press, Cadw were unavailable for comment.