A headteacher has hit out at thieves who threatened staff with a screwdriver after stealing cash collected for the tsunami appeal.

Thieves stole more than £100, a laptop computer and a digital projector when they broke in to Nunthorpe School at the weekend.

Two men on BMX bikes entered the school at about 4pm on Sunday.

They forced their way into a classroom and rifled through locked cupboards, as a football match was taking place at the school.

When they tried to escape, the pair were confronted by a member of staff, from the next door primary school, who was threatened by one of the men brandishing a screwdriver.

They then rode off in the direction of Nunthorpe.

Headteacher Debbie Clinton said: "The theft of the sponsorship money was the most devastating thing.

"The children had raised the money of their own volition and were rightly proud of themselves.

"The school has raised around £7,000, this particular tin only contained just over £100 - but it is like taking food out of the mouths of babies.

"The other things are not important, they are covered by the school's insurance, but how people can steal cash destined for the tsunami appeal is beyond me.

"This was an opportunistic burglary, unfortunately that is the world we live in today."

Both suspects were on silver bikes and are believed to be aged 17 to 19 and between 5ft 7in to 5ft 10in.

One was stocky and wore a black woolly hat and a dark top with a light blue panel across it. The second was thin, with dark cropped hair and wore scruffy white trainers, black tracksuit bottoms and a black hooded top. He also had a distinctive vertical scar on his upper lip.

A police spokeswoman said: "We are investigating the burglary and we are currently putting together e-fits of the people believed to be responsible for this crime."

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to call PC Graham Smith or Detective Sergeant Paul Husband on (01642) 302626 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.