Thieves took advantage of a quiet Christmas period to steal items fom a popular outdoor activity centre

Hilston Park, run by Gwent Outdoor Centres, was the target of thieves who stole around 80 flagstones, along with eight mountain bikes, a strimmer and hedgetrimmer, wheelbarrow and pick axe some time before new year's day.

Ian Kennet, Head of Services at the popular venue said that he and staff were upset that they had been the victim of burglars; "It makes the operation of the centre more difficult now as part of the site has to be cordoned off as there is now a trip hazard, and as we do not have enough mountain bikes for a group visit, that activity has been cancelled until we can replace them.

"The cost implication of not only repairing the path, but replacing the bicycles now falls on Monmouthshire County Council which means that the taxpayer will eventually be the ones to suffer."

Police have released details of some of the stolen items which includes: six specialised 'Hard Rock' Disc Mountain bikes red and white in colour, frame numbers are; WSBC602 273456F (frame size 15.5"); WSBC602 078537F (frame size 13"); WSBC602 075348F (frame size 13"); WSBC602 337080F (frame size 19"); WSBC602 083291G (frame size 21") WSBC602 130236G (frame size 19"). Call 101 quoting Heddlu Gwent Police incident 424 of 01/01/2014 if you have any information.