THOUSANDS of pounds of damage has been caused to a play area after vandals got into school grounds over the weekend.

Drugs packets, cigarettes and rubbish were left after the break-in at St James CE Primary School in Clitheroe.

The Greenacre Street school put an appeal out for information on Facebook saying they were ‘absolutely disgusted’.

They said it was not the first time vandals have got onto school property with headteacher Fiona Pattison and staff forced to patrol the grounds at night time to act as a deterrent.

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A school spokesman said: “Absolutely disgusted to find our school playground, worship area, gazebo and shed has been destroyed over the weekend.

“Litter, cigarettes and drugs packets everywhere.

“Thousands of pounds worth of damage.

“The police have been informed.”

They said they have contacted the police many times over the years, visited secondary schools to talk to pupils and shown police CCTV images.

The spokesman said: “We have actually caught youths on our grounds, tried to prosecute them with evidence but nothing has been done.

“Mrs Pattison and the staff patrol the grounds on many occasions at night and we have contacted the local media.

“We have even spoken to many of the vandals’ parents.

“But still these youths are not deterred and this nightmare continues.

“The huge amount of time plus the amount of money, which the children have raised, and invested in this area and it’s ruined.”

Cllr Mary Robinson, whose Primrose ward covers the school, said: “I am very sad and disgusted by this.

“We have got to make sure these people are prosecuted.

“It is too much for the school to bear and if you think it is just 10 days until new children start.

“I am very supportive of the school.

“They have a wonderful headteacher and I’m sure this will be dealt with properly.”

Cllr Allan Knox, who also covers the Primrose ward, said it was very sad a primary school had been damaged in this way.

He said: “Money that could be spent on children’s education will have to be spent on rebuilding, cleaning and making good whatever the damage is.”

On Facebook, a number of people offered to help with clean up operation.

Paul Walmsley wrote: “Really disgusting. If you need help repairing/tidying up please just ask.”

While Jarrod Tennant said: “Oh no that’s terrible. If you need any help with the clean up please let us know.”