An Amman Valley councillor is urging for local authorities to take action to prosecute the owner of an abandoned shop.

Mayor of Cwmaman Kevin Madge has received reports stating that school children are breaking into the former shop situated on 205 Cwmamman Road, which hasn’t been open for months.

The councillor has written to the council explaining the disturbing condition of the shop.

Cllr Madge said: “As Mayor of Cwmaman I am urging for Carmarthenshire County Council to take action before someone gets hurt.

“School children are breaking in and eating the abandoned stock which has been left by the owner.

“The youngsters have been caught on the CCTV footage from the garage next door breaking in through the rear of the shop.

“No one knows how long the food has been left and it could be deadly for the young people.”

It is not only the teenagers of the community that are entering the building.

“There has also been sightings of rats and I am worried for the safety of the community and the premises needs to be boarded up immediately, added Cllr Madge.

It is lazy of the owner to get up and leave without taking any of the stock.

“No one will buy that shop with the current state it is in.

“This is not the first time we have had trouble with youths breaking into abandoned buildings as we had similar problems Cwmaman Workmens Hall.”

The county council has responded to Cllr Madge's concerns.

Carmarthenshire County Council public health services manager Sue Watts said: “The premises at 205 Cwmamman Road was boarded up on Wednesday, May 3.

“We are currently investigating the issues in relation to rats.”

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “The Neighbourhood Policing Team in Ammanford are aware of issues relating to youths gaining access to this premises. They have received information locally and are investigating. They are also in liaison with the arson reduction team in order to get the building secured.”