A LOWESTOFT headteacher has condemned the 'mindless vandals' who caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage at her school.

Jackie Cutchey, head of St Margaret's Primary, spoke out this week after roof slabs were pushed to the ground, tiles damaged and a bench in the playground was vandalised.

The damage happened during the recent half term break and is thought to have occurred between 6pm on Wednesday, October 27, and 9am the next day – the latest in a series of incidents at the school in Ipswich Road.

Last year, a slide and other play equipment at the school's nursery was destroyed; in another attack, graffiti was daubed on buildings, and in 2004, skylights and windows were smashed.

Prior to that, the school's swimming pool was broken into and bins were burned on the playground.

But Mrs Cutchey said the latest incident was the worst seen at the school.

'In this climate, it is tragic really – an absolutely mindless act,' she said.

'Of all the damage we've had over the years this is the worst I've seen. I cannot see any reason for it. It's just absolutely mindless vandalism.

'They've tried hard to keep out of view of our neighbours and they knew what they were doing. They must have been here for a while to do the amount of damage they did. It's just hard to understand.'

Mrs Cutchey believes that there 'must have been more than one offender' given the extent of the damage.

With the county council now facing repairs put at several thousand pounds, she said it would be the school and its pupils who ended up suffering.

'It will take away from any planned costs we have,' Mrs Cutchey said.

Police are investigating the incident and say house-to- house inquiries have revealed that noises were heard coming from the school at about 11pm on Wednesday, October 27.

l They are urging anyone with information to contact them on 01986 835300.