SEVEN windows at a school near Darlington were smashed by vandals on Friday night, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.

The thugs threw a paint tin through one of the windows at Hurworth School of Maths and Computing.

The latest damage comes as schools across the area have found themselves repeatedly targeted by hooligans and thieves, who have stolen computer equipment and damaged property.

The damage at Hurworth occurred between 6.30pm and 8pm on Friday. The broken windows are all at the back of the school, near the woodwork areas. Police are appealing for information from the public.

A fortnight ago, vandals smashed glass door panels at the school - one of which was emblazoned with the school crest.

A school spokeswoman said that the wooden doors now needed to be replaced, as well as the glass, and it would cost about £2,000.

The school has to pay the excess of the insurance for both incidents.

The spokeswoman said: "There are better ways we can spend this money, we can spend it on the children. It really is a waste of public money."

Two weeks ago, The Northern Echo reported how Alderman Leach Primary School, in Cockerton, was to get a security guard after being targeted by vandals and thieves 38 times last year.

Also this weekend, a thief smashed three windows at Polam Hall School's boarding house in Darlington.

The thief rummaged through the rooms, but it is not known what has been stolen as yet. The break-in occurred between 5pm on Friday and 8am on Monday.

Anyone with information on the incident at Polam Hall, or the vandalism at Hurworth School should call the police on 0845 6060 365.