VANDALS have attacked play equipment at Malton Primary School causing around £1,000 of damage.

The offenders damaged the outdoor play area and storage sheds, which had been provided through fundraising by the school’s Parent Teachers Association, overnight on Saturday, They also forced the locks off three sheds at St Mary’s RC School which is next door to Malton Primary in Highfield Road.

Headteacher Kelly Anderson said everyone at the school was saddened and disappointed.

“Our outdoor environment is an intrinsic part of school and is used for both learning and play,” she added.

“Children and staff are all working incredibly hard to develop the outdoors for this very purpose and to arrive at school and see that it has been defaced and spoilt is very distressing.

Mrs Anderson added: “The Parent Teacher Association are working incredibly hard to raise funds to help improve our school. We will now have to ask for some funds to replace items which have been damaged by vandals. Our school is the heart of this community and both the children and our families will be upset by this.

Pc Jane Jones, of Malton Police, who is investigating the incident, said she was angry and dismayed that some mindless persons could go onto the school grounds and carry out the vandalism..

“The school children try their hardest to raise money so they can have nice things in the play area then some mindless persons go into the school grounds as a trespasser and cause all this damage,” she added.

“What type of person could do this? All I can ask is for the offenders to come forward before we come knocking on there door.”

Anyone with further information should contact PC Jones on 101.