A NURSERY school has been targeted by "mindless" vandals.

Staff and pupils of Ramsden Infant and Nursery School in Barrow were shocked to find that their playground had been ransacked after the property was broken into on Sunday night.

The damage caused included a smashed window, splattered paint, broken toys and overturned plant pots.

A camera was also stolen from inside the property but this has since been recovered by the police.

Headteacher Nicky Brewerton said: "It's just mindless, completely mindless, there's no purpose to what they have done.

"The children were just so shocked.

"They were asking me why they did this and I just couldn't give them an answer.

"I wanted them to see the damage so when they get older they can understand what the consequences are of this kind of behaviour.

"School is supposed to be a safe place."
Despite the physical damage, however, the spirit of the school hasn't been broken.

The clean-up operation coincided with the International Day of Happiness as the children, parents and staff rallied to tidy up the aftermath.

Mrs Brewerton added: "We've had so many positive messages on Facebook.

"We said if anyone wanted to come and help to tidy up they could. They have absolutely transformed the quad.

"The support of people was absolutely wonderful."

Kirsty Kneale, a parent of one of the pupils, has also set up a JustGiving page which has so far raised £310, exceeding its target of £300.

On the page Ms Kneale wrote: "We, as parents of the schoolchildren, have rallied round to help clean up but are unable to replace these things.

"We are trying to raise funds to help replace as much as we can. Every little helps."

There has also been an overwhelming amount of support from the community and members of the public.

Random acts of generosity have included a mother of a member of staff donating £100.

Many local businesses, including Tesco and Wilsons, have also offered to help the school.

Two 13-year-old boys have been interviewed by police in connection with the incident.

Mrs Brewerton added: "I feel sorry for these two children and their families.

"The impact is much broader but I cannot thank the community enough.

"Out of something really horrible, something really positive has happened."

To donate to the Justgiving page visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kirsty-kneale