VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage to a pool at a north Dorset primary school, leaving the pupils distraught and unable to have their much-loved swimming lessons until it's made safe.

As reported in the Echo on July 11, young thugs crept into the grounds of Stalbridge Primary, slashing the pool insulation cover into two halves and ramming an unknown object into the filtration system.

The damage means the pool's suction system is ruined, leaving it unable to be cleaned or kept warm and out-of-bounds to the children and other community users.

Acting head Laura Turner said: "It's going to cost us between three and four thousand to get it fixed and for a small school like us that's an awful lot to find.

"These mindless vandals walked on the insulation cover, which is very dangerous in itself and could have led to them drowning, and then they shoved something down into the filtration system.

"There were also empty alcohol bottles found.

"Swimming lessons are very important and very popular here and we only have six weeks of the year we can use the pool because it's open air. We must get it fixed as soon as possible because we are opening it to the community in the summer."

She says that during the past few weekends the school has experienced growing problems with youngsters climbing over the fence to access the grounds.

"When they are just in the grounds riding their bikes then it's not a problem. But when they damage the property it certainly is."

She added: "One of our new picnic tables is now covered in graffiti which has upset the children because they fundraised for them."

She says this is the first time the school pool has ever been closed.

If you can help police with their enquiries call PC Glenn Day at Sturminster Newton police station on 01305 222222 or Crimestoppers 0800 5555 111.