VANDALS have targeted a Selby primary school, destroying the work and play equipment of the youngest children.

Longman’s Hill Primary School, in Myrtle Avenue, Selby, was hit several times over the summer holidays. It was hoped that with the start of the new school term the trouble would stop.

But children arrived at school yesterday to find their play equipment had been destroyed.

Jillian Baker, head teacher, said: “It’s got to stop. It’s becoming a weekly occurrence. We had a lot of trouble over the summer holidays, we had plant pots smashed and thrown in the pond, a lot of equipment belonging to the youngest children was broken and thrown about and the door of the Wendy house was ripped off.

“Bean bags have been ripped apart, sand trays smashed and a water tray broken.

“The sunflowers and tomato plants that the children planted have also been ripped up.”

She said over the weekend the shed had been broken into, the repaired Wendy house had been damaged again and another sand tray smashed.

The cost of repairing and replacing the items will run to about £300, but Mrs Baker said that money was not the issue.

She said: “The children have grown those plants from seeds. It’s not the equipment, it’s the work the children have put into it.

“It’s just unacceptable. It’s just mindless vandalism. The children just consider it to be very sad that these things are happening.”

Parents have now been asked to get involved by reporting to the police anyone seen on school grounds who should not be there.

Anyone who has information about the vandalism, or who wants to report suspicious behaviour, should phone 0845 6060247.