PUPILS were heartbroken to learn that willow wildlife they had made to brighten up their school grounds had been stolen.

Children from Christ Church Primary School in Ainsworth worked with artists last September to produce two boars and two deer from lengths of willow.

Once the two-metre long structures were finished, they were positioned at the side of the school grounds, near the playground, so the children could see them and touch them.

But when headteacher Mr Dave Gerrard returned to the Tommy Lane school on Boxing Day, he realised that one of the deer was missing, and the other had been knocked over.

He said: "Each structure cost around £400 and was made by the children. We wanted to improve the grounds of the school, and artists worked with the school to do that. They were finished about ten weeks ago, so we have not actually had them on display that long, and while they are not that heavy, they are 1.5 metres high and two metres long, so someone must have seen it somewhere."

The children returning to school last Thursday were left devastated to hear that one of the deer had been taken.

Mr Gerrard added: "We just wanted to improve the school environment and make it better for everyone. The children worked hard on them, and I m sure someone out there must know something about it."

Detective Inspector Simon Collier, from Whitefield CID, said: "Although this might not appear to be a serious crime, it will have a terrible effect on the children and the environment that they are taught in. Anyone with information should really search their conscience and report it to us on 0161 856 8243."

Anyone who has any information about the missing willow deer can also contact the school on 01204 587484.