YOBS caused £5,000 worth of damage when they broke into a York school's greenhouse and trampled on the plants.

Vandals broke into the 1940s greenhouse at Joseph Rowntree School and went on the rampage at the weekend. Head teacher Hugh Porter said the attack was "mindless vandalism".

About 20 panes of glass were smashed and 50 or 60 plants were thrown to the ground and trampled on. Most of the plants had been grown by pupils at the school for use in science lessons.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at the school in Haxby Road some time between 6pm on Friday and 7am on Monday.

York Police spokesman Colin Ventress said: "About 20 panes of glass in the greenhouse at the rear of the school have been broken and the inside has been completely trashed.

"We would urge anyone with information to come forward."

Mr Porter said: "They broke a number of windows in the greenhouse, but then actually climbed through them and trashed the plants that were inside.

"The plants are used by and large for science teaching and there was one plant there which has been around at the school for about 50 years.

"That was kicked over in its pot, but we hope we will be able to rescue it.

"This was unnecessary, mindless vandalism that merely saps energy, takes from society and makes no contribution.

"It always saddens me when I come across an act of mindless vandalism like this.

"They have taken every plant in the greenhouse and knocked them off their shelves."

He said most of the plants had been geraniums.

He added: "They are straight forward for the children to propagate themselves and then used in science experiments."

He said there was no indication that the break-in had been carried out by anyone at the school.

Last month The Press told how a gang of yobs smashed 50 windows at Manor School, York, with golf balls.

Anyone with information is asked to phone the police on 0845 60 60 247.