Pupils at a primary school are devastated after vandals attacked an outdoor 'green zone' for the third time.

Trespassers struck again during half term damaging trees, throwing and smashing items into the pond, burning posters and pulling down materials at Sandown in Deal.

But staff and pupils have been left most upset by the disruption to the many birds who were nesting in the area and whose progress the children had been monitoring.

The school says it will now be taking action to keep the culprits away by applying anti-vandal paint to the main gates, designed to stick to people’s clothes, as well as investigating CCTV options.

Green Zone co-ordinator Anne Collins said: “We’ve had children upset with one grandparent telling me their grandson had been very unhappy about it at home.

"Throwing the bricks and the plant pot into the pond is petty stuff and the trees will grow back, but we can’t replace the birds.”

Green Zone, at the bottom of the school field, is used most days by the pupils to learn about nature by building dens, making campfires and cooking.

Pupils describe it as a “special place for people” and “a nature wonderland”.

But parts is of it were destroyed when vandals climbed over the eight foot gates to get in between 11am on Monday, May 29 and 10.30am on Wednesday, May 31.

In the course of their actions, they pulled down some polythene sheeting from a cabin bringing with it a nest occupied by a pair of collared doves.

It is also believed they tampered with a bird box, created by six-year-old Seth Page. It forced the nesting great tits to flee.

Most distressing was they discovered five dead fledglings. The children had been following the nest building, egg laying and hatching of chicks.

Head teacher Kate Luxford said: “We’re all very disappointed especially about the bird boxes and fledglings. It’s been upsetting for the whole school community.”

Mrs Collins said pupils had been amazed to see the birds flying in and out with nesting materials and food such as worms for their young.

They had started a bird watching after-school club which had attracted 35 members and even won a Young Person Trust for the Environment award for the project.

Mrs Collins said: “This term, our topic was going to be wings and we were hoping to see the fledglings take their first flight.

“Last time there was damage we tried to keep it under wraps but this time we’ve had to give the children a reason why the birds are no longer there.

“It’s such a shame as the children were coming in, getting their binoculars, setting up camp and writing down the birds they had seen.

"Now we’ve had to change focus to making mini gardens and planting flowers to attract insects and polleners.”

A RSPB bird poster which the children used to identify birds was also burnt.

Mrs Collins is appealing for anyone who has a spare one to donate it.

It is the second time Green Zone has been targeted but the third time the school has been targeted in two years.

In December 2015, equipment used by the youngest pupils was vandalised, with outdoor toys and books soiled with urine.

In November last year, vandals entered Green Zone causing £200 damage by ripping down a plastic cover from a door, melting plastic rope and damaging a wood cabin.

It has prompted a police appeal.

A spokesman said: “We were called following a report of criminal damage at a primary school in Golf Road, Deal.

“The incident happened between 11am on Monday, May 29, and 10.30am on Wednesday, May 31.

“Trees and bird boxes are reported to have been damaged leading to the death of a number of fledgling birds.

“A poster had also been set alight.

“Officers are keen to speak to anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the suspects.”

Witnesses are asked to call the appeal line on 01843 222289 quoting reference number ZY/24804/17.