Vandals destroyed a millennium dome built by pupils.

They left broken glass strewn over the playground, ripped down goalposts and tried to uproot trees at Sible Hedingham Primary School.

The next day vandals attacked toilets at the village recreation ground. The parish council said there was evidence of drug taking and drinking.

The dome at St Peter's Primary School was18 feet wide and ten feet high. Children made it with willow branches on three weekends last year.

Head teacher John Smith said: "The children were very upset because so much effort went into getting it right.

"Initially I was furious, but we spoke about the incident in assembly and decided we felt sorry for those responsible.

"In fact, we feel worse for them than we do ourselves because we can, and will, put the damage right. Their lives are obviously so empty and boring that they've got nothing better to do than destroy things.

"It was such a nice, community project and most of the materials were supplied by parents and friends."

"We've told the children they've got to be like 200 detectives - keeping their eyes open for anything we might have missed."

The school's caretaker spent three hours sweeping up broken glass on the infants' playground.

Vandals entered the public toilets, which are locked overnight, by smashing a window and ripping off as grate.

Woodwork was kicked apart and the door to a changing room forced open.

Tom Gaw, vice chairman of Sible Hedingham Parish Council, estimated the vandals had caused £200 damage.

He said articles which suggested evidence of drug taking were found in the toilets with several empty alcoholic drink bottles.

Wrecked - Luke Dennis, Amanda Bradford, Rachel Meadows and school head John Smith inspect the vandalised dome

Picture: CLARE BANKS

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