This is the sorry state of a pleasure boat which carried visitors to one of Cardiff’s most popular parks for nearly three decades.

The excrement-covered Roath’s Pride was spotted by walker Azmath Jaleel, 50, during his daily stroll around Roath Park Lake . As he got closer he could see the boat was in very poor condition and appeared to be covered in animal excrement.

“It is mostly pigeon and gull poo,” said Mr Jaleel.

“I go down to the park and take photos a lot. I take photos of the wildlife and when there is litter in the lake.

The "Roath's Pride" boat from Roath Park Lake

“I live 15 minutes away and I walk around the lake almost every day. I am not a professional photographer but I always take my phone or camera on a walk to get some pictures.

“When I saw the boat in that condition I took a picture because of the name. You can see the name on the picture – it is called Roath’s Pride.

“It is not in use but is there on display like a museum. People should see this because it is a shame that something like this is in this condition.”

Roath’s Pride spent 27 years carrying people around the lake and now is housed by the western shore of the lake at the lighthouse end.

When asked why the boat was in such poor condition, a Cardiff council spokesman said: “After 27 years’ service carrying passengers around Roath Park Lake, Roath’s Pride was taken out of service in 2013 following an inspection by marine surveyors.

“The cost of the work required to bring the boat back into safe operation is estimated at around £50,000 and changes to legislation related to small craft and passenger vessels have halved the boat’s passenger capacity since it was originally purchased.

“The boat is currently stored securely under cover and cleaned periodically but, given the ongoing pressure on local authority budgets, and despite discussions with a number of groups around the potential for fundraising, it is not economically viable to bring the vessel back into operation at this time.”

The "Roath's Pride" boat from Roath Park Lake

When Roath’s Pride was originally in operation people could sail across the whole lake and could also walk on the island. This is now prohibited with the island home to many nesting birds.

There is also an old urban legend that rock star Jimi Hendrix once woke up on the island in Roath Park Lake after a heavy night out in the Welsh capital.