STAFF at special needs nursery today hit out at 'mindless thieves' following a spate of vandalism and theft and said: "I wish they would just leave us alone."

Nursery nurse Carol Wilson, of Rainsbows Nursery Development Therapy Centre, in Gisburn Road, Barrowford, spoke out after two Union flags hung out to mark the Golden Jubilee were stolen from the roof.

The theft is the latest in a series of incidents at the nursery, which has also been vandalised, with the children's play house and special sensory garden damaged.

Carol said: "We are sick of having to suffer because of mindless thieves.

"Barrowford Parish Council kindly said that they would pay for the flags to help with our Jubilee celebrations, which we were very grateful for.

"I came to work on Thursday morning and one of the flags had been taken, which I couldn't believe, but it was later found by a local man who returned it to us.

"Then I came into work on Friday morning to find they had both been taken, which we are all devastated about."

The nursery caters for pre-school youngsters suffering from a wide range of handicaps to give them the best start in life before they start school.

Carol added: "The children here are all under four and have special needs in one way or another, so, to them, having these huge flags on the roof was spectacular. Now all that has been taken away from them. It is not going to be the same because those flags were the icing on the cake for the celebration."

The nursery has been vandalised a number of times, including damage to the playhouse and the children's sensory garden, as well as two attempted burglaries.

Carol added: "I just wish these people would leave us alone, and let us get on with things but we know that will never happen because the nursery is a good place for youngsters to hang out and be able to have a cigarette in secret.

"I just wish they would realise the heartache and upset they are causing for everybody here."

The police said they have had a report of an attemped burgulary at the nursery in the past year and that they are investigating the theft of the flags.

The Jubilee party is set to take place with or without the return of the flags on Friday, May 31, from 10.30am to 1.30pm, with fun and games from the 50s era, including skipping and marbles for the children to enjoy.

Anyone with information on the flags should contact 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.