THE owner of a nursery burst into tears after surveying the damage caused by arsonists at her school.

Sue Ebsworth was left distraught when the firebugs ignited Holly House Day Nursery, in Mayfield Avenue, Walkden.

Around 80 youngsters, some with special needs, are facing the next four weeks without any nursery care.

Coats and rucksacks, that belonged to toddlers, were destroyed, along with some of the children's special drawings that were hanging on the wall.

Specialist nursery equipment was left burnt or severely smoke damaged.

The fire swept through the main corridor and also destroyed the toddler's play room and bathroom.

Mrs Ebsworth said: " I just cried. When I saw the blackness and smelt the burnt ashes, it was really upsetting.

"I don't think the people who did this realised the devastation that a fire could actually do. I'd like to show them just what misery they have caused."

The fire started when the arsonists smashed a window and climbed inside the nursery.

Firefighters say that the whole building would have been engulfed in flames if the blaze had been left unattended for another five minutes.

The nursery's pet rabbit Bonnie, which was sat inside its hutch, was killed in the fire.

Mrs Ebsworth said: "Bonnie was the children's pet and they idolised her. The arsonists would have seen a rabbit hutch when they smashed the window to light the fire. That's just sick."

Owners spent Monday telephoning parents and explaining that their childcare would not be available.

Temporary premises, or mobile classrooms, are being considered while repair work is carried out.

Mrs Ebsworth said: "We need to get up and running as soon as possible. It means parents will be forced to stay off work, but many employers won't allow for a member of staff to be away for four weeks."

The nursery moved to the premises three years ago and suffered an arson attack in 2002 when one room was damaged.

A spate of thefts and vandalism have blighted the nursery over the years.

The owners have been told that it could cost £20,000 to erect a perimeter fence around the nursery to boost security.