CRICKHOWELL'S historic bridge has been left badly damaged by a car being chased by police which led to a search of the River Usk.

Officers from Dyfed Powys Police had been in pursuit of the car following the theft of quad bikes from two separate premises in Pengenffordd overnight on Saturday, October 29.

At the time it was thought that two men had entered the swollen River Usk resulting in a search of the area by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and the force's helicopter but no one was found.

Police say they are questioning two youths and looking for information on two others following the thefts.

Inspector Mark Davies said, " During the early hours of Sunday, a member of the public has seen two quad bikes travelling behind another vehicle with no lights or helmets being used.

"They became suspicious and called us. A police patrol located these vehicles, but did not pursue them because of safety concerns."

Police later found the two quad bike abandoned, one having crashed into a wall - believed to be the boundary wall of the Glanusk Estate.

Inspector Mark Davies continued, "Another patrol car saw the other vehicle which also crashed following a brief pursuit by officers. The driver and a passenger made off on foot, but the 22-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of theft.

"We have since arrested another 18-year-old man on suspicion of theft. We are also appealing for any information on two other youths who we believe were involved in these thefts and are aged between 16 and 19 years of age.

"A search using specialist teams and the force's helicopter was also undertaken as the vehicle crashed close to the River Usk but no one was found."

Focus has now been turned to the repair of the Grade I listed building that links Crickhowell and Llangattock with residents fearing the repair work will replicate the unpopular replacement of defective coping stones and repairs to the parapet wall carried out by Cadw earlier in the year.

The repairs led to an outcry by residents saying not enough care had been taken to find materials that would blend with the existing stone.

At the time residents called it an "eyesore." One said, "It is a complete shambles. No thought has been given as to what stone to use in order for it to blend in, it is the wrong shape and colour. It makes the bridge an eyesore."

A spokesman for Powys County Council said it was too early to say what the repairs will be and how much they will cost.

He said, "Crickhowell Bridge was damaged in the early hours of Sunday morning and a section of the wall as taken out and a parapet has been damaged.

"An investigation is under way into the work that will need to be done and we will liaise with Cadw over repairs but it is too early to say how long this will take or what it will cost to repair."