MOST of Teignmouth's bus shelters have been wrecked by vandals.

The structures have had all the windows smashed and are smeared with graffiti.

Steel plates were used to replace the vulnerable glass in one, but the metal was stolen and, on another, a vehicle was used to yank off the leg supports.

The battle-scarred shelters have been described as 'a disgrace to the town', and councillors are in despair over the attacks.

All eight of the town's shelters are due to be replaced soon by a specialist company that has a deal with the town council, but many are wondering if it is worthwhile as they are likely to meet the same fate.

The mayor, Cllr Vince Fusco, said he was 'absolutely appalled' by the state of the structures.

'It does not seem to be so bad in other towns, but almost without exception our shelters have been targeted by yobs. The shelters are much valued by residents and visitors, especially the elderly and young mothers who can shelter from the elements, but at the moment they are a disgrace and a poor advert for our resort.

'I just cannot understand the mindset of the people who do this and I appeal to anybody with information about who is responsible to contact the police or the town council.

'It is just so depressing, and part of the cost of repairing the damage falls on the town council – it is money that could be better spent elsewhere.'

Cllr Ian Parkes is particularly concerned about the eyesore state of the shelter at the Eastcliff coach station, used by thousands of visitors.

'It is disgusting – the shelter is ­virtually a wreck. What a greeting to newcomers.

'I work at the Cliffden Hotel, and our guests are full of praise for the cleanliness of Teignmouth, and love it here. But the shelters let us down badly.'

Town clerk Dave Tickell, said they could demolish the damaged shelters in preparation for the new ones, but had decided to keep them as they still offered some protection from the elements.

"Eventually the firm that provides them are going to become fed up with the damage, and may not want to continue.

'If we put in glass, it is smashed; perspex is melted by cigarettes and lighters, and steel plates are stolen. What more can we do other than build them in armour plate?

'Even the relatively new shelter outside Tesco in Bitton Park Road has been targeted,with the glass panels smashed one by one. The damage runs into thousands of pounds.

'It is a great shame because I know the facility is greatly appreciated by bus users, who sometimes have long waits, and are now getting cold and wet in bad weather.'