TWO schools were damaged and a pigeon was beheaded when teenage vandals went on a sickening rampage.

One school had 24 windows broken and a newly-built wall demolished, while another had its tennis courts vandalised and building damaged by youths in Stockton at the weekend.

A net cut down from one of the tennis courts was then used to trap a pigeon, and the bird's head ripped off by the thugs.

A passer-by found the decapitated bird wrapped in the netting hours later.

Sergeant Colin Whitfield, of Stockton police, said the vandalism at Ian Ramsey and Grangefield schools in the early hours of Sunday appeared to be co-ordinated.

He said the attacks followed a major police crackdown on Friday night when more than 100 youngsters, aged 13 to 19, had gathered at Ian Ramsey School to drink alcohol.

More than 66 cans of lager were confiscated, along with ten bottles of spirit, at the party, which saw groups of teenagers arriving in taxis.

"This has all the hallmarks of a co-ordinated effort to damage and destroy school property and put people's lives at risk," said Sgt Whitfield.

"When we have information as to those responsible, there will be arrests."

Allan Mansfield, acting headteacher of Grangefield School, said the school would have to replace the damaged net from the tennis courts out of its budget, and was waiting to have windows replaced.

He said Grangefield's grounds were always open to allow the public use of the 12 tennis courts, and this was a terrible way to repay the school.

Head of Ian Ramsey School, Mike Davison, said staff and children had been left upset by the vandalism, which was concentrated around the school's newly extended PE block and changing rooms.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01642) 302226.