STUDENTS at a special school have been forced to give up money raised for new equipment to pay for damage caused when their bus was vandalised.

The youngsters from Wyvern School, Weymouth, walked across Dartmoor to raise funds for a hydrotherapy pool for their new school, which is to be built on the grounds of Wey Valley School.

Wyvern headteacher Helen Mackenzie said: "Although the plans for the replacement school include a hydrotherapy pool, it is up to us to raise money to install specialist switches and equipment which will allow our pupils with profound physical difficulties to turn on coloured lights and a sound system to make their hydrotherapy sessions more stimulating."

The students walked for up to 20 miles, depending on their ability, but when they returned to the school they found the locked compound had been broken into and one of their Variety Club Sunshine minibuses had had its doors forced, windows smashed, interiors damaged and a battery stolen, along with a car belonging to senior teacher at the school, Steve James.

Mr James said: "We were all so upset when we got back to the school. All the Wyvern youngsters who took part in the walk will have transferred to college before the new school is completed so they had been working hard to help others.

"Now we find that the school will face a bill of up to £1,000 for insurance excess payments, the hire of a replacement bus and additional security work to make sure that such vandalism can't happen again. This is far more than we had been able to raise through sponsorship."

Mr James added that he felt the bad news had been underlined by the fact that Wyvern's current hydrotherapy pool has had to be closed for major repairs.

Miss Mackenzie said: "If anyone would like to help us by sponsoring our pupils following their recent efforts, or simply to make a donation to cover the costs of this mindless damage to school property, we would be most grateful."

Wey Valley students also took part in the walk to raise money for street children in Romania and as part of as project where youngsters from the school will be helping homeless children.

To make a donation call Wyvern School on 01305 783660.