POLICE are appealing for information after 30m of fencing from around a school was removed and burned.

PC Julian Brown, beat officer for Heighington, near Darlington, would like to hear from anyone who knows who was camping on the village sports field on Saturday.

Sections of the fence around the primary school were removed and used on a bonfire, believed to have been lit by youths.

The cost of repairing the fence is £400, and is the first incident of criminal damage the school has suffered for several years.

PC Brown said: "This is a wanton act of damage that is effectively going to have a knock-on effect at the school, it is like taking new books away from pupils."

Anyone with information should contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681