Children who spent hours creating a special garden at their school were today broken-hearted after thieves dug up their plants.

Pupils at the Thundersley Junior and Infant School gave up their play times to plant dozens of flowers and shrubs around the buildings, winning a prize in the Castle Point in Bloom competition.

Now they are facing the daunting task of replacing all the stolen greenery.

Marion Rose, in charge of the school's gardening club, said: "I cannot imagine what kind of meanness would drive someone to spoil the work of children in this way. Their actions are just despicable."

The plants have disappeared from both the infant and junior schools, in Dark Lane.

Headteacher of the junior school, David Staines added: "It is just unbelievable. At first we thought it was badgers causing the trouble as we have loads of them around the area.

"But the thieves have been very selective about what has been dug up. Every single plant has been taken from around the seats in the infant school.

"I am disappointed for the children. They put in hours of hard-work to create the gardens.

"They were annoyed when they found out but they are just starting all over again."

The gardens were set up after pupils and parents raised £7,000 for the project over the past four years.

Members of the school's PTA bought two new covered benches for the gardens which were set up to improve the surroundings and extend the pupil's knowledge of nature.

Mr Staines added: "We wanted the gardens to help soften the appearance of the school and they certainly brightened the place up. It was extremely successful and has brought heaps of colour to the school."

Forlorn - Heather Palmer, Rachel Daniels, Jonathon Saunders and Louise Sharp start to repair the damage Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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