VANDALS have left young children in tears after wrecking a pond and killing wildlife at their school.

Saddened Brackenbury Infants School staff who discovered the destruction on their return from half-term say the school's youngsters are devastated.

The yobs broke into a recycling bin at the Fortuneswell, Portland, school and tipped bags of waste paper and heavy catalogues into the pond.

It cost almost £6,000 to install the pond, which is home to wildlife including newts and frogs and is used to help the children learn about science. School secretary Sandie Sanderson said most of the creatures living in the area had been lost.

"The pond is very popular with the children but now it's a complete mess," she said.

"We do our best to keep the school nice for the kids and then this happens.

"It's a real shame for them to have to see it like this. It makes you so cross, it's so nasty."

Mrs Sanderson said whenever the Three Yards Close school closed for the holidays it was targeted by vandals.

She said: "We have a problem with people coming into the site, they run riot.

"Last year they tipped over our sundial and broke it. It seems like you can't leave anything.

"But short of putting up razor wire and electric fences, what can you do?"

School headteacher Zoe Green said pupils were heartbroken over the latest attack.

"It's devastating for them to have to look at it like this," she said.

"They're disappointed because they value it and one of our golden rules is we look after the pond and the school.

"There's a great feeling of sadness. We spent a lot of time, thought and money on it and the children are very proud of it."

Mrs Green said the school is now facing a hefty bill to repair the area, which was only completed last year.

"The recycling bin will cost us £500 alone to replace," she added.

"With the pond it's not ordinary paper, it's shredded paper and heavy catalogues, so it's going to be a major job.

"If the liner's damaged it's going to cost lots of money. But it's the effect it's had on the children that's most upsetting."

Dorset Police are investigating the incident. Witnesses or anyone with information should call them on 01305 222222.