MINDLESS vandals have launched a double strike, wrecking gardens which children helped to create at two East Lancashire Primary schools.

A total of £1,000 worth of damage was caused at St James CE Primary School, Haslingden and Helmshore County Primary School.

In the Haslingden attack, fencing and bird tables made by the children were smashed at a secret garden which was set to be unveiled yesterday.

And shrubs and soil were ripped up and scattered at the Helmshore school, in Gregory Fold, where the school's science garden was destroyed.

Volunteers from Groundwork Rossendale had been working with pupils and teachers on the projects for a fortnight.

The schemes were funded by the Action for Haslingden Partnership, which was set up to improve the environment at local schools.

Now the group is desperately seeking more cash to restore the two gardens as soon as possible.

Groundwork Rossendale project officer Glynn Haworth said: "It's very sad. We came back after the school holidays and found both gardens had been vandalised. "The idea of the secret garden was to turn a patch of overgrown land next to the school into a grove among the trees and ivy where children could play and learn about wildlife.

"There were seats and a storytelling area and the kids would have been nearer to nature. But the fencing has been smashed and would probably cost more than £500 to replace.

"The Helmshore project was a season garden with four different flower beds for each time of year.

"The plants have been ripped out and thrown all over the playground and football fields and it will cost nearly as much to repair." John Nuttall, headteacher at St James school, Regent Street, Haslingden, said: "The children have worked hard planting bulbs and making objects such as bird tables and feeders.

"They're angry and upset that someone could come along and do this."

David Willis, headteacher at Helmshore CP, said: "About 80 plants were pulled out of the earth and tossed around like shot puts. It's very upsetting."

A spokeswoman for Rawtenstall Police said an investigation into both incidents was continuing.

Any parents or local businesses who wishes to donate towards the repairs should contact either Mr Nuttall on (01706) 214134 or Mr Willis on (01706) 213756.

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