PARKING ticket machines broken into and damaged in Cardigan town centre last week are still out of order.

Both ticket machines in the car park behind the Guildhall at Greenfield Square were damaged, with the machine by Theatr Mwldan also out of order.

The damage has meant shoppers and visitors using the car parks have been able to park for free this week.

Police are investigating the incident which happened in the early hours of June 3 to June 4.

Officers from the council are supporting Dyfed Powys Police with their ongoing investigations into the matter.

A spokesman for Ceredigion County Council said: “Wilful damage to the machines causes unnecessary inconvenience to those wishing to use the car parks legitimately.

"Arrangements have been instigated with a view of repairing or replacing the affected machines and getting them back operational as soon as possible.”

The spokesman added that, due to the machines being regularly checked and emptied, the amount of money stolen was relatively low.

However the major consequence of the machines being damaged is the cost of repairing the machines and the loss of money from those using the car park, particularly of concern in the current financial climate.

Anyone with any information about the theft and damage is asked to please call PC Hodgkinson on the non-emergency number 101.