VANDALISM at Alva Glen has reached an "intolerable level" after one of the outdoor musical instruments in the area was smashed sometime this month.

The cybergong, which makes musical notes when pinged, was puled down at some between Sunday, October 2 and Monday, October 17.

It had been maintained by volunteers at the Alva Glen Heritage Trust, with the group saying they have endured a "high level" of vandalism over the summer.

The incident has since been reported to police, with officers describing the destruction of the children's play item as "extremely sad".

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Between Sunday, October 2, and Monday, October 17, at the Alva Glen, one of the three eight-foot-high aluminium musical structures, which are known as cybergongs, was vandalised.

"These structures are cemented into the ground on two support legs and are used by children and adults alike who hit them at various points to make musical notes.

"It appears one of the structures had been forcibly pushed and the cemented support legs had snapped.

"These structures are owned and maintained by Alva Glen Heritage Trust, which is a voluntary organisation which looks after and maintains various play areas and public amenities within the Alva Glen.

"It is extremely sad that these items, which are placed by the trust to enable the people of Alva and numerous visitors to enjoy the beauty that the Alva Glen offers, have been targeted.

According to the police, the estimated cost of repair may well be in excess of £500.

A spokesperson from the trust said: "The glen has experienced a high level of vandalism over the past few months and has now reached an intolerable level when installations that were put in place to be enjoyed by the children and families are being wantonly destroyed by a minority element frequenting the glen."

Anyone who can provide any information regarding this offence is urged to contact Alloa police on 101 or, should they wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.