VISITORS to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority car park in Grassington are being asked to help catch mindless vandals who have targeted public toilets and a bus shelter.

The police have been informed and we would ask members of the public to keep an eye out and report any vandalism

Malcolm Petyt - National Park

In the past month, vandals have caused more than £100 of damage by putting toilet paper into the toilet bowls and then setting fire to it, burning the seats.

They have also been smearing curry over windows and walls in the nearby bus shelter and using it as a toilet, leaving behind faeces and toilet paper.

Malcolm Petyt, Authority Member with responsibility for Recreation Management, said the National Park spends about £180,000 a year on routine maintenance of loos in the 12 public car parks it owns.

"The police have been informed and we would ask members of the public - both residents and visitors - to keep an eye out and report any vandalism they see to the police," he said.

"So far the damage has meant we have had to redecorate the bus shelter and replace charred toilet seats at a cost of more than £100 plus staff time.

"This mindless vandalism means we have to divert additional money and staff time from other work."

Last year, vandals struck at toilets owned by the Authority in Clapham, Kettlewell and in the Dales Countryside Museum car park in Hawes.