"Mindless thugs" have vandalised a school's outdoor classroom.

The yobs smashed bottles and a picnic bench and cut two tarpaulins at Green Park Community Primary School in Dover.

They targeted its forest school, an area in woodland next to the school field that gives children direct physical contact with nature.

It happened last weekend and also damaged was its mud kitchen that had been built by pupils over the summer.

This is an area where children make mud pies using conventional kitchen utensils.

Richard Hawkins, head teacher at the school in The Linces, Buckland, broke the news in a letter to parents yesterday (Monday).

He told them: "Why anyone would want to come into our school grounds and try to destroy things that the children have created is beyond me and I know you will be equally upset to know that mindless thugs have done such a wicked thing."

Mr Hawkins said the vandalism has been reported to police and the smashed glass bottles were being taken away for forensic examination.

Mr Hawkins' letter added: "We will not be defeated by this and we will build back better our wonderful forest school.

"In fact the children will be using it today but I know that they will be upset to see their hard work destroyed."

Mr Hawkins has also stressed that such vandalism has not struck the school for "a long time."

Parents have already donated new tarpaulins.

Others who can help with items and donations, even for the general development of the forest school, should contact Green Park on office@greenpark.kent.sch.uk

A Kent Police spokesman said: "We are investigating reported criminal damage to school equipment in The Linces.

"The equipment is reported to have been damaged between 6pm on Friday, September 17, and 8am on Monday, September 20."

Officers say that anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or has information which may assist investigators, should call them on 01843 222289, quoting the reference number 46/183186/21.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by using the online form on its website.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover