It could have been marked down as just another unsolved attack on a Hampshire primary school until one suspected vandal left a vital clue - a picture of his face.

Yobs wreacked havoc at the school, destroying schoolwork and spraying paint and graffiti across the walls and carpets.

So proud were they of their handiwork they decided to take pictures of themselves doing it. The problem for them was they left the camera at the crime scene.

These pictures, which the Daily Echo can reveal exclusively today, show the face of the prime suspect police want to question in connection with the attack that left two classrooms wrecked at Wicor Primary School in Portchester.

Paint was dripped into computer keyboards, fire extinguishers let off and children's toys stapled to the walls in the vicious attack that caused £2,000 damage.

Among the ruined items was the classroom camera that had been left covered in paint. It was almost thrown out with the rest of the rubbish until one staff member noticed it still had a film in it.

Mark Wildman, head teacher of the 425-pupil school, said: "We thought it was a very slim chance they would be that stupid to take photos of themselves, but lo and behold when they were developed there he was."

The photographs were immediately handed over to the police who said they were stunned with the images that show a hooded youth aged around 15 with distinctive metal-rimmed glasses posing for the photo being taken by another vandal.

PC Bill Cummings said: "We just couldn't believe it. It is a remarkable lead from our point of view, there is no other explanation for this person being in the classroom. It has got to be one of them and the image is so clear as well. We would hope that someone will recognise him and get in touch."

Youngsters aged seven and eight were forced to have their lessons in the Hatherley Crescent school hall on Monday while school staff cleaned up the mess that included human faeces.

PC Cummings said: "This was the nastiest attack on a school that I have ever seen. It left the children understandabley distraught that their work and classroom had been destroyed like this. The motive was not to steal anything but just cause mindless vandalism. Hopefully we now have a good chance of catching those responsible."

Anyone with information can contact Fareham police on 023 9289 1937 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.