A PRE-school which looks after children as young as two years old was closed after being targeted in an overnight attempted burglary.

It is the second time that Pennington Village Pre-School, in Lymington, has been subject to a break-in within the last six months.

Burglars coated the pre-school's garden in paint, made a den and broke all of their garden toys in winter last year.

Manager of the nursery Sarah Wilson said she came in at 7.55am on Friday morning to find the front door had been smashed.

She said: "I was shaking, I was so shocked. It's not what you'd expect on a normal Friday morning.

"The front door had been smashed - I think they would have got through if they hit it another two times."

The nursery closed to its pupils on Friday but it is not yet known when it will reopen.

Sarah added: "There was lots of debris over the floor and it wasn't safe for the children.

"There are fences all the way around the school but people are obviously getting over them. It's a shame that they feel they need to do that.

"It's a scary thought really. We are going to evaluate and get cameras in, and plough on."

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We have received a report of an attempted burglary at Pennington Village Pre-School. The front door was damaged, but entry was not gained.

"This happened sometime between 4pm yesterday (March 12) and 7.30am on March 13. Anyone with information can call 101, quoting 44200094774."