Pupils in heartfelt plea to vandals

Schoolchildren have made a heartfelt plea to vandals to stop attacking their Telford school.

Hollinswood Primary School, in Dale Acre Way, has been targeted 12 times in the past year, with damage costing more than £5,000 to repair.

Graffiti scrawled across walls and broken glass bottles and beer cans have been found in the children's playground.

In the latest incident, which was reported to police on Monday, a brick wall was knocked down and graffiti was written on a wall. It is thought repairs will cost £1,500.

The school's playground, including a jungle gym activity area designed by youngsters, has been damaged.

Headteacher Glenn Atkinson said vandalism over the past 12 months had resulted in about £5,200 worth of damage.

"We've got quiet areas and a jungle gym in the playground and they are being used by people coming here with alcohol, that sort of thing. It's been going too far and it results in things being vandalised and broken.

"The children can't understand what makes these people tick. Over the last two years the children have been working with the local authority to develop the areas that have been vandalised."

The youngsters have written letters pleading for the vandalism to stop.

Anyone with information should call police on 08457 444888."