A HEADTEACHER said he was overwhelmed by the support shown by the community following a break-in at a special school.

Mark Montgomery, of White Ash School, Oswaldtwistle, said thousands of pounds of damage was caused during a burglary and forced the school to close for the day.

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Cash and two iPads were taken from the school while laptops and doors were damaged. In the wake of the incident one parent set up an online funding page which has already reached more than £1,000.

Mr Montgomery said they have had to replace some of the doors just two weeks after putting them in as part of a refurbishment plan.

He said: “We have had to replace them at a large cost to the school. “We had to close the school on Monday due to the damage caused. The hall doors which have a locking mechanism were damaged so it was not safe for the children. We worked hard to get it sorted, it took us all day, but we did not want the children to see the school looking like that. It was heartbreaking for everyone.

“The result was the children missing a day of education and the inconvenience for the parents.”

“It is just frustrating. We want our school to be a safe haven and for the children to know it has been intruded and damaged. A lot of the pupils were very upset and were worried.”

Mr Montgomery said they have increased security since the incident.

“We have had lots of support from the parents and well-wishes from the local community which has been really uplifting.

“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to those that have donated. It will really make a difference to the pupils.”

Parent Nicky Hudson, who set up the go-fund me page, said the equipment is used as a communication aid for children who can’t talk or who struggle to find the words they need. “They are used for educational purposes as many children are unable to access the curriculum in a typical way and they are also used to calm children who are having a tough time,” she said.

“Without them, their lives are made so much more difficult.”

A police spokesman said Cy Holt, 25, of Bolton Road, Blackburn was charged with burglary and has been recalled to prison after breaching his prison licence.

He will be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on December 23 after admitting burglary offences.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com and search help White Ash School.