Lostprophets' lyrics on Pontypridd pavement 'tainted'

Paving slabs bearing the lyrics of paedophile rock star Ian Watkins in his home town are to be pulled up after a children's charity called them "tainted".

The Lostprophets singer, 36, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), admitted sex offences last month, including the attempted rape of a baby.

Ten slabs with lyrics were laid in Taff Street in a regeneration project.

RCT said the paving would be removed "as soon as possible".

The lyrics "every time I walk these streets I know they're mine" are engraved on 10 stones and taken from the Lostprophets song Streets Of Nowhere.

Last month, the band's lead singer and lyricist Ian Watkins, 36, from Pontypridd, admitted child sex offences including attempting to rape a baby.

Pontypridd AM Mick Antoniw said the council should consider removing the slabs.

When the council announced the project last year it said it was using "a range of phrases and lyrics encapsulating the history and culture of Pontypridd".

Claude Knights, chief executive of the child protection charity Kidscape, said: "Ian Watkins's crimes are appalling.

"It would be wise for the council to consider taking the slabs up. His work has been tainted."

Here is video footage of the slabs.