Children at a Johnstone nursery have been left devastated after mindless vandals went on a wrecking spree that trashed their Wendy house.
A gang of yobs trashed the outdoor play house used by nursery kids at Auchenlodment Primary on Friday night, causing £500 of damage.
The play area had provided an outdoor space for children as young as two, who used it to explore cooking and other fun activities.
Gerry Carlton, headteacher at Auchenlodment Primary, said staff were horrified when they saw the damage.
He told The Gazette: “Our janitor found the Wendy house trashed and the microwave that we used for cooking was also damaged.
“While it’s hard to say exactly how much it will cost to replace it all, we reckon it could easily be £500.”
Sadly, this is not the first time vandals have staged a wrecking spree at the site, in Aspen Place.
Previously, another outdoor hut was burned down by firebugs.
Mr Carlton added: “Our gardens were done up only a couple of years ago in a £10,000 regeneration.
“Outdoor learning is such an important part of the curriculum but youths were using our garden to hang about in and they caused all sorts of disruption.
“This appeared to have stopped but it now seems they are back.”
This is the second time in as many months that a Johnstone nursery has been trashed by vandals. In July, the West Johnstone Pre-5 Centre, in Beith Road, was targeted on two consecutive nights.
Three teenagers were reported to the Children’s Panel in connection with those incidents following a police investigation.
The latest vandalism has also been condemned by police. Inspector Cassie Glass, based at Johnstone police station, said: “We are appealing for information and help from the public to find these vandals.
“We were able to find those who targeted the other nursery in July by using CCTV – and we will do so again. Anyone with information should contact us on 101.”
Renfrewshire Council said Auchenlodment Primary is open as usual and a spokesperson added: “The damage was to a small play house in a garden in the outdoor learning area of the nursery.
“Police are aware of the incident and we have passed CCTV footage on to them.
“We would ask anyone with any information to contact them.”
Anyone who can help to replace the damaged equipment at the nursery is asked to call staff on 01505 321464.
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