STAFF at a city pre-school say they feel 'the children are being punished' as the site has been vandalised again.

The outdoor summerhouse at Olive Tree Pre-School, on Olive Road in Southampton was trashed by vandals over the weekend.

Windows were smashed and bikes were thrown into a neighbouring play park.

It means that the 30 children aged 2-4 who attend, cannot use the outside area as a classroom.

This is the second time the school has been targeted with its outdoor play area being hit during half term last month.

Deputy Manager Emma Green said: "It makes me angry every morning when I come in.

"I've been picking up glass this morning.

"After last time when there was an article in the Echo, nothing had happened so I was really surprised it has happened again.

"It is just unfair on the children. It is just the children they are punishing.

"They have not be able to use the area. I have had to shut it off just in case there was any extra glass around. We are having to take a lot more precautions with our security which is difficult.

"A member of the public found some of our bikes and trikes in the park and brought them back for us. It is mindless. It is happening on a regular basis.

"We've got some lovely parents that have helped us get things fixed, for that to be damaged again.

"It is such a shame that people give up their time and it's broken again in a matter of weeks."

The charity pre-school say they are struggling to cover the costs of repairs and cannot afford to replace the whole summerhouse.

Emma added: "It is not fun. There's nothing to take and nothing to steal that would be any use to anyone else. People damaging it for the sake of damaging it, it is frustrating."

The school have put up anti-climb paint and are appealing to the public to be more vigilant if they see any suspicious activity, especially at weekends.

A police spokesperson said: "We received a report that between 12pm on 21 November and 11.55pm on 22 November damage was caused to the summer house at Olive Road Pre-School, on Olive Road in Southampton. A balance bike was also stolen. Anyone with information is asked to phone 101 with reference 44200453282."