POLICE are hunting vandals who wrecked play equipment at a Bournemouth junior school.

Intruders broke seating, smashed parts of a play trail and scattered sports equipment around the field at Stourfield Junior School.

Pupils were unable to use the school field after the damage was done overnight on Tuesday.

Now school staff have spoken out about the "senseless" actions of those responsible.

Teacher Ben March said: "Our sports equipment is kept in old shipping containers on the school field which are padlocked.

"The containers were broken into and vandalised and a play trail was smashed up. It must have been very loud so someone must have heard them.

"We are not sure if anything has been taken - it's just totally senseless."

Deputy head Charlotte Bartolomeo said the damage was discovered by a site manager when he arrived for work at the school, situated at the junction of Stourvale and Cranleigh Roads in Southbourne..

Although staff are currently unable to put a monetary value on the damage done, they said it has been disruptive for the school's 500 pupils.

"The children have been unable to use the field and it is having an effect on their learning." said Mrs Bartolomeo.

"We are all very proud of our school and it is very disappointing when something like this happens.

"Some of his equipment has been purchased with the help of our parents and out fixed wooden play trail structure is out of bounds at the money because it has been damaged."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the damage was reported at 8.45am yesterday (Weds May 24). The offence is believed to have taken place between 6pm on Monday and around 7.30am yesterday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset Police on 101 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.