SHOCKED pupils performing their Christmas Nativity were showered with glass when thugs hurled a brick through a window behind their York school stage.

Parents packing New Earswick Primary School reacted with horror when the window shattered only ten minutes into the junior production.

A gang of eight to ten teenagers who had attempted to enter the hall only minutes before are believed to be responsible for the callous attack.

Teachers were amazed to discover that no one was injured and after a brief interval to sweep the glass away, the children, aged between seven and 11, continued with their show.

Organisers have pledged that the "show must go on" tonight, but there will be added security around the school grounds.

Headteacher Carole Farrar said it was a "miracle" that no children were seriously injured.

She said: "If the heavy curtain had not been closed there would have been shards of glass all over the kids and someone would have been seriously hurt.

"Some of the children at the back of the stage had glass all around them.

"It was by some sort of miracle that none of them was hurt."

Paul Hudson, who is chairman of the school governors, said: "Most parents are absolutely disgusted, shocked and upset by what has happened here.

"Thankfully, last night they stayed calm and everybody followed instructions and we managed to get the show back on within five minutes after the glass had been swept away."

A parent said her eight-year-old daughter was "extremely upset" and was unhappy about returning to the stage tonight. But the woman said teachers and other parents had controlled the situation very well.

She said: "A few of the little girls were crying and everybody was shocked. Some of the male teachers and some dads shot out of the hall to try and catch those responsible, but no one was found."

Ms Farrar said the school had been subject to vandalism before, including eggs being thrown at the building and windows smashed, but there had been no incidents when pupils were present in the building.

The Nativity, which is named Sheikh, Rattle And Roll and involves 140 children, will continue at the school, in Hawthorn Terrace, tonight at 7pm.

A York police spokesman confirmed today that officers had attended an incident at the school at just after 7pm last night.

He said inquiries, which are expected to include viewing the school's CCTV tapes, were continuing.

Updated: 13:25 Thursday, December 11, 2003