VANDALS have left staff and pupils at a Teesdale school devastated after they destroyed a memorial tree and plaque to commemorate children who died in concentration camps and armed conflicts.
Children and teachers at Gainford Primary School, near Darlington, returned from the holidays to find the school's cherry sapling had been stolen and a plaque had been broken in two.
The school had planted the tree in the playing fields in November, in memory of Anne Frank and others who died in concentration camps and wars.
The plaque, which reads "In memory of Anne Frank and all the children and young people who died in wars and conflicts in the 20th Century", had been broken, despite being cemented into the ground.
Last night, Gainford Primary School headteacher Geoff Heeley said: "It just makes you wonder what goes through some people's minds. This was an act of mindless vandalism, with no gain to anyone."
The attack happened during the Christmas and New Year break.
The school will be replacing the stolen tree and paying to have the plaque repaired.
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