SCHOOL staff in Southampton say they are heartbroken after vandals broke in and burnt parts of a sensory garden to the ground.

The attacks at Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Millbrook took place on Saturday and Sunday.

The intruders dugg up up planting areas and torched a potting shed which contained the children’s overalls, and wellingtons.

Staff say the incident follows another spate of attacks on their partner school, Mansel Park Primary, also in Millbrook.

In a joint statement, Gerida Montague, executive headteacher and Sarah Hendricks, head of school, said the garden was “lovingly tended to over many years” by staff and children.

“Key staff have dedicated much love and time, not only during the school day but in their evenings, weekends and during the school holidays, to developing a glorious place of natural beauty. This has been completely destroyed.”

The heads said that while the cost of the damage is “frustrating”, they do have savings.

A Gofundme page has now been set up to rebuild and restock the shed at the school which has more thqan 400 pupils aged four to 11.

After just one day of going live, £244 has been donated of the £1,000 target.

City councillor, Lee Whitbread said: “It’s heartbreaking to see the school potting shed in the grounds of Holy Family School has been burnt to the ground over the weekend.

“What makes this particularly incident sad is that so many families locally don’t have their own garden and the school grounds provide a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to learn some gardening skills.”

The incident has been reported to police who are investigating.

Anyone who has any information should call 101 quoting 44210047107 or 44210047637.

Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.