Pupils at a vandal plagued Chorley primary school have written to The Citizen to plea with yobs who are threatening a new play area.

Vandals have struck at Gillibrand County Primary, Grosvenor Road, Chorley, several times recently smashing windows and breaking roof tiles.

The bills to repair the damage has been from a fund which the school hoped to use to improve the playgrounds.

Year six pupils were so appalled at the latest incident, when headteacher Sharon Franklin's window was smashed, that they organised a letter writing campaign to The Citizen.

Mrs Franklin said: "The children wanted the people of Chorley to know about the incidents and show their feelings towards the cowards that cause the damage."

Jemma Hodgson, aged 10, wrote: "All the fundraising we do the vandals take away because the damage has to be repaired.

"I am writing this letter to ask vandals to stop.

"The parents of vandals should have more control over their children and try to keep them occupied at night instead of letting them walk the streets and get into trouble with the police."

Natalie Dalton, 11, said: "During the week of January 30 we had Maths Week. All the pupils went in fancy dress and paid a pound to raise money to improve the playgrounds.

"The following week, Mrs Franklin's window was smashed. It looks as though instead of having new playground equipment, the money raised will go towards repairing the window."

Reece Ashworth, 10, wrote: "They have broken roof tiles, burned bins and recently smashed windows.

"Both the children and the teachers are annoyed with the vandals. We hope they will stop to think about the people they are hurting the next time they think about vandalising school property."

Pupils Sophie Lowe and Raymond Newton, both 10 and Adam Hull 11, wrote letters expressing similar sentiments.

The incidents have been reported to police who are investigating.