VANDALS caused serious damage to an Otley school’s outbuildings.

The Early Years playhouse and the forest shed at Ashfield Primary were both targeted during the afternoon of Sunday, March 15.

The attack, which left the forest shed virtually demolished, has shocked staff and pupils.

Jo Featherstone, manager at Ashfield of the Orchard Centre – the key stage two learning support facility – said: “The worst damage has been to the forest schools shed, which has been completely destroyed, and the Early Years playhouse, which has had its windows all pushed out and is no longer weatherproof. We are all a bit angry, sad and upset by it all.

“It was just wanton vandalism as nothing seems to have been taken. Those responsible were disturbed by one of our parent governors who was working on the site, but have not been identified or caught.

“We have informed the police, who have come down to have a look.”

Otley Town Council leader Councillor John Eveleigh (Lab, Ashfield) said: “This type of behaviour cannot be tolerated and I hope that anyone with information will notify the police.

“We all know what a brilliant school Ashfield is, and for their pupils to see wanton acts of vandalism and destruction against their school is particularly distressing.”

The incident happened between 2pm and 3pm and the suspects are three white boys, aged between 12 and 13, who were wearing hooded tops.

Inspector Richard Coldwell, who heads the Outer North West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It is thought that they will all be local boys and anyone who has seen anything or knows who the culprits are should contact us on 101 or e-mail us at OuterNorthWest@westyork shire.pnn.police.uk.”