North Wales Police have reported the devastating news that a platform hosting a Osprey's nest alongside Lake Brening has been intentionally cut down in what has been describbed as a 'horrific act of vandalism'.

The news which broke this morning saw officers quickly attend the scene and launch an investigation.

"We are sad to report that someone last night has intentionally felled the osprey nest platform at Brenig lake," said the Rural Crime Team.

"We are sad to report that someone last night has intentionally felled the Osprey nest platform at Brenig Lake. These rare and highly protected birds only layed their first egg yesterday. We are on scene and will update when we can."

The birds and their eggs are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act which makes it an offence to interfere with them or their nest.

The nest, called an eyrie, is generally built on the top of a large tree, usually a conifer, but deciduous trees are also used.

These long-lived birds are mainly site faithful and some nests have been in use for some 20 years, with the birds adding to it each year. The nest is a large structure made of branches and twigs, lined with small twigs, moss, bark and grass.

It takes both birds 14-21 days to complete a new nest, which at completion can be 120-150 cm across and 50-60 cm deep. As more material is added in later years, the nest can grow to a depth of 150-200 cm.

More news as soon as we have it.