VANDALS have trashed a school playground.

Yobs broke into Kearsley West Primary School on Monday night, breaking into the secure storage shed, pulling out and destroying play equipment and emptying the contents in the yard.

The attack comes as a blow to the school which have celebrated a great year after being marked good with outstanding features by Ofsted just a few months ago.

Children and staff have been left devastated by the actions which has left the area out of bounds to youngsters.

It is thought the vandals scrambled up high security fencing with anti-vandal paint to get into the school grounds.

Deputy headteacher Jackie Fitton said: “They broke the fence in their attempt to get in and then emptied the contents of the storage shed all over the the yard, they then covered it with bags of compost, sand and bird seed.

“The children couldn't then use the playground and staff had to spend the entire day sorting through breakages and clearing up the mess.”

She added: “There is nothing stolen that we can tell.”

The cost of the damage is now being counted.

The play equipment, which teachers say is essential to the development of children, was provided as part of £10,000 National Lottery grant four years ago.

A stage area has been destroyed along with other equipment designed to capture the imagination children.

Miss Fitton said: “It is just not fair. We are hoping it is just a one-off. We have had problems with vandalism in the past and we have shutters on the window.

“We had to tell the children what had happened and explain that some people make the wrong choices, do not behave like they do, and do not have respect for other people’s property.

“This was an outdoor classroom for children which is crucial to early years development, where learning is continuous inside and outside.

“Children learn through play.

“It is just so frustrating, what they vandals have done is of no benefit to anyone."

Anyone who can help the replace the damage equipment should contact the school direct.