VANDALS have wrecked an outdoor classroom at Delaware Primary School, spraying abusive graffiti and knocking down a bird hide — in attack which has shocked teachers, parents and pupils.

It is the latest incident in an ongoing spate of vandalism at the school, where criminals have targeted the foundation and pre-school learning areas.

Headteacher Jo Grail said since the beginning of the summer there had been several attacks.

'We have had lots of silly but sad incidents where the children's play equipment has been spoilt,' she said.

'The bird hide was tipped over and graffiti written on it, the fairy area and toadstools has been knocked about and the chicken run has been damaged.

'It is very disheartening to the children who are the youngest ones at the school.

'We have this wonderful, creative outdoor area where we teach children to look after their world, so when people go and spoil something like this it is very upsetting.'

The headteacher said most of the large foundation classroom was outdoors and was used all year round.

The friends of the school had raised money for waterproofs and wellies so the children could be outside in all weathers.

Mrs Grail said: 'These incidents of vandalism are unusual because normally the community looks after this school and takes a lot of pride in it.

'There must be a minority of people who have taken it upon themselves to do this damage.

'We have no idea who did it but we would like to think it was not former pupils of this school.'

Kerry Pearce, who has two sons at the school, said a lot of mums and dads had donated items for the outdoor classroom over the last three years.

She said: 'It is heart-wrenching when this happens because it is such a lovely area to have and the children love it. It is probably their most favourite part of the school.'

Police are appealing for witnesses to the latest episodes of damage last week and have increased patrols at the site.

Sgt Brett Phillips of Callington Police said: 'Anyone we find on the premises who is not a member of the school community will be stopped and questionned as to their motives.

'We have not ruled out implementing additional security measures at the site.'