THIEVES drilled into the fuel tanks of minibuses used by disabled children so they could drain them and steal diesel.

The raiders — who nursery bosses called "despicable" — targeted minibuses used by children with special educational needs at Bolton Children's Opportunity Group (BCOG) over the bank holiday weekend.

Up to 20 children, including three babies, are collected in the buses each day to be taken to the nursery.

Annette Dodd, business manager at the nursery, in Lowndes Street, Heaton, described those responsible as the "lowest of the low".

One of the drivers noticed the theft on Tuesday morning, with CCTV footage suggesting that the theft took place in the early hours of Saturday.

The nursery had been closed for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Mrs Dodd said: "I just think it is despicable. There are not really any words to sum up how I feel.

"For somebody to do that knowing it is a nursery for one thing, but then seeing it is a nursery for children with special needs. What can you say?

"It is almost disbelief that I feel because at least one of the buses makes it obvious that it is used to carry disabled children.

"They are the lowest of the low.

"They have got no morals, scruples or respect."

Both buses can ferry six or seven children to and from nursery each day, while an afternoon run is done three times per week to collect three babies who attend BCOG.

CCTV footage shows a man walking towards the secure compound used to house the buses at about 4.30am on May 2.

He smashes the locks on the gate and walks off.

BCOG has about 70 children on its books, ranging from babies to pre-school.

The nursery does not exclusively cater for children who have special needs or disabilities, but most of its children do.

Some children at BCOG have Down syndrome, while others have cerebral palsy and many are autistic.

Mrs Dodd added: "At the moment these children and parents who rely on the buses cannot access the service unless alternative arrangements can be made.

"It is sometimes not easy with a disabled child to disrupt their routine and make an alternative plan."

The nursery must now pay two insurance excesses to get the buses repaired.

They are close to paying one after a heart-warming gesture from a grandparent of one of the children.

He took a huge haul of loose change amounting to £130, which he donated to BCOG.

Insp Wayne Readfern, from the Bolton neighbourhood policing team, said: "This is a shocking crime against a school helping children with special educational needs.

"Their children and their parents have been inconvenienced by this which is unacceptable.

"These people will clearly target anybody and they need to be caught as soon as possible."

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8565761.