A CHILDREN'S playground outside an inner city school has been destroyed by mindless vandalism leaving staff upset and heartbroken.

But Newby Primary School headteacher, Sara Rawnsley, has vowed that the "beautiful" facility will "rise from the ashes".

It was the school's Early Years playground that was ruined at some point over the Eid weekend (between Friday, July 31 and Monday, August 3).

The mud kitchen stations were completely demolished, a large panel was ripped off the main bulk of the playground and pieces of it were left littered around the area.

West Yorkshire Police is investigating the incident.

Mrs Rawnsley, who cut short her staycation because of the vandalism, says it is unclear who committed the "shocking act", but there was evidence of drug use at the site.

She added: "Someone had a party basically, in the nursery area.

"We do keep our off site open and we're very keen to do so and it is absolutely our intention to continue.

"We're happy for people to use our site.

"You have to take the rough with the smooth, but we need to get much better security systems.

"We've tried three times to get it through, but we haven't been successful.

"We're determined to keep our site open for families."

In the aftermath of the destruction at the West Bowling school, one of the teachers has set-up a Just Giving page to fundraise money for a CCTV system..

The aim is to get to a total of £2,000.

Mrs Rawnsley describes the community as "delightful" and they have got right behind the fundraising effort (with £956 donated from 49 different people at the time of writing), just as they did in order to get the playground built two years ago.

The headteacher said: "It's a beautiful Early Years playground that was finished two years ago.

"It was very much community based, with fundraising to get that.

"The water pump has been ripped out, the mud kitchen.

"It has beautiful wooden fencing, it has beautiful planting and it is used and loved every day.

"Early Years methodology is now about a free flow into outdoors."

Mrs Rawnsley wants reparation rather than retribution though for the culprits.

She said: "We would welcome you in to be with the children playing and see how much joy the area gives.

"It's not about being angry, it's for them to realise what they've done for small children who live in the inner city and need that space to be the best they can be.

"The best way is to come work with our children and see and then know how important that is.

"I'm a great believer in giving people an understanding."

Police are appealing for information following the vandalism.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any further information is asked to contact the police via 101, or using the LiveChat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.

You should quote crime reference number: 13200388211.

If you would like to donate to the school's Just Giving page, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/newbyprimary