TEENAGE vandals broke into a nursery school's outdoor toy cupboard so they could use it as a late night drinking den.

They smashed into the shed behind the Children's Opportunity Group centre during a weekend binge.

Playleaders found toys scattered across the nursery garden in Lowndes Street, Heaton. The shed stank of alcohol and smoke.

Nursery manager Dilys O'Gorman said: "We spent a full morning cleaning all the toys.

"Young children shouldn't have to put up with vandalism like this.

"There was soil and bits of wood everywhere. It looked like the youths who got in had been having a mud fight."

Sixteen children attend the centre, some of them with special needs.

Charity fund-raisers collect cash to keep it going but gangs of youths regularly try to spoil their good work.

They have been caught smoking in the garden before and they have broken nursery windows during teenage matches.

Mrs O'Gorman said: "It's a shame when young people do things like this.

"Not many people seem to know about the good work we do here."

It is not known whether the vandals attacked on Friday or Saturday night. Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050.

TEENAGE vandals broke into a nursery school's outdoor toy cupboard so they could use it as a late night drinking den.

They smashed into the shed behind the Children's Opportunity Group centre during a weekend binge.

Playleaders found toys scattered across the nursery garden in Lowndes Street, Heaton. The shed stank of alcohol and smoke.

Nursery manager Dilys O'Gorman said: "We spent a full morning cleaning all the toys.

"Young children shouldn't have to put up with vandalism like this.

"There was soil and bits of wood everywhere. It looked like the youths who got in had been having a mud fight."

Sixteen children attend the centre, some of them with special needs. Charity fund-raisers collect cash to keep it going but gangs of youths regularly try to spoil their good work. They have been caught smoking in the garden before and they have broken nursery windows during teenage soccer matches.

Mrs O'Gorman said: "It's a shame when young people do things like this."

It is not known whether the vandals attacked on Friday or Saturday night. Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050.