Resilient parents and pupils have managed to raise more than £4,500 despite mindless vandals attempting to ruin their charity fun day.

Months of planning were put in by organisers at Billericay's Buttsbury Primary School to make the summer fete a roaring success.

Torn - Richard Longden was devastated that the vandals slashed a new marquee during their rampage Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Precious funds were used to purchase a brand-new marquee at a cost of £90 and nearly £200 was spent on two new colourful signs to advertise the event.

To ensure everything went to plan, staff and parents worked till it was dark to set up the site and build the marquee.

But when they arrived at the school the following morning they discovered that vandals had done their best to spoil the event.

The new marquee had been slashed leaving a gaping hole down the side, and the signs had been broken off their posts and discarded. They were eventually found ripped and burnt in nearby hedges.

Richard Longden, chairman of the school parents association, was devastated. He said: "I couldn't believe it. We'd been working hard to get everything just right and a few idiots had tried to ruin it.

"We all decided we weren't going to be beaten by them though and set about repairing things. In the end it was a fantastic day. I think everyone responded really positively. To have raised £4,500 is an incredible achievement. That money will go back into the school."

Anyone with any information should call 01268 532212.

Published Wednesday, June 18, 2003

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