CHILDREN and staff at a Rossendale nursery were left 'incredibly upset' after thieves stole toys in an overnight raid.

Tunstead Pre-School, in Haworth Drive, Stacksteads, was targeted by thugs who broke through a gate and looted a shed.

Toy scooters and cars, prams and push chairs were among the items taken during the break-in.

The pre-school's manager, Janet Hayhurst, said she discovered the theft when she arrived for work on Tuesday morning.

Lancashire police believe the burglary took place between midday on June 15 and 9am on June 16.

Ms Hayhurst said: "It was me who noticed it on Tuesday morning and at first I thought the kids had taken the stuff out, which they have done in the past.

"Then I noticed the lock was broken on the gate and realised it couldn't have been the children.

"We are all really upset and annoyed. Some of the children have been asking where their favourite toys and chairs are."

The shed is situated in the school's outdoor play area, but the main office, which was burgled two years ago, was not targeted, and no other damage was caused.

The nursery, a registered charity which employs three full-time staff, looks after 23 children aged two to four every weekday morning and is rated good by Ofsted.

Ms Hayhurst said trustees and parents were now fundraising in order to replace the stolen goods.

A Lancashire police spokesman described the theft as 'like taking candy from a baby'.

The spokesman added: "The offenders have removed the children's toys from a shed. Among the items taken were three large carriage prams, three push chairs, a children's trike and a large red pedal car with a yellow roof.

The nursery is a charity-run, non-profit organisation, that provides care for 23 children aged between two and four years and does not have the funding to replace the stolen toys.

"The children have been left incredibly upset wondering where their toys are."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote log number LC-20150616-0346.