STAFF at a pre-school in Gorse Covert have hit out at ‘mindless vandals’ after it was trashed for the third time in a matter of weeks.

The Village pre-school caters for children aged two to four on the same site as Gorse Covert Primary School, Gorse Covert Road.

Yobs have targeted it on three occasions, ripping up plants, damaging pots and smashing glass.

The latest incident happened over the weekend.

Emma Wood, of Ashmore Close, is on the school committee.

She said: “All of the pots and flowers that the children planted have been destroyed, the remains strewn around the play area.

“Smashed glass was also left on the entrance path.

“This sort of antisocial behaviour is ruining the children's first experiences of school, and preventing us from developing more outdoor activities, for fear they too will be wrecked.

“It is heartbreaking seeing how upset the children are when all their hard work has had to be thrown in the bin.”

The gates to the school are left open over the weekend to allow neighbours to use the play area, but pre-school staff have asked for them to be closed. 

Catherine Cooke, head teacher at Gorse Covert Primary School, said the issue will be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.

 Anyone with information can call Warrington East NPU on 101.