NURSERY school pupils have been devastated by the vandalism of willow domes they had spent hours creating.

Pearl Robinson, head of Oxhill Nursery School, Stanley, said vandals had destroyed one of three structures and damaged two others.

Ms Robinson called on community to be vigilant. She said: "The children were devastated when they saw what the vandals had done.

"They had spent days helping James Beddingfield to create the dome shelters with willow whips.

"They were to have started growing in a few weeks and the children were watching them daily to see if their leaves were coming out. And now this."

PC Jonathan Hamill, of Stanley Police, said vandals had entered the school sometime during the night on Thursday, April 3, and partially damaged one of the domes.

They returned this week and flattened one dome and damaged two others - each is worth £250.

PC Hamill said: "This was mindless vandalism. I was shocked that people could do this. It has obviously caused great distress and upset to children and staff."

PC Hamill can be contacted on (01207) 232144.