A SCHOOL has voiced its determination to rebuild its forest learning area after vandals broke into the premises and caused "devastation".

Overnight, a section of the outdoor nature space, which pupils and staff have spent two years cultivating, was torn out, thrown over the school fence and set on fire.

St Thomas's C of E Primary School in Pimhole Road, Bury, had invested some £4,000 in the project, with the view to open the forest up for wider use.

Richard Hyde, forest school leader, said: "When I saw the damage I was absolutely devastated.

"Seeing all the hard work we had put in just absolutely destroyed made no sense. It was soul-destroying.

"A whole section of our forest school has been ripped apart and burned up.

"This project has been a massive journey for me.

"I have put my heart and soul into building something truly amazing for our kids to develop and enjoy being a part of."

Between 50 and 60 logs due to be used for woodland craft had been hauled over the fence and set on fire at neighbouring Openshaw Park.

The forest school consists of a mud kitchen, vegetable garden and outdoor fireplace. Pupils had also built a bug hotel — a habitat for minibeasts —and living willow wall, made of more than 200 tree branches, which had been damaged.

Pupils use the site for imaginative play and social games, with the aim for it to nurture their emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.

Headteacher Sheryl Farnworth said: "Our forest school was built up from nothing. It has taken a lot of time and energy to create this outdoor classroom.

"All that has been destroyed. Our children are really really upset.

"I feel really sorry for Richard who has put so much time into creating this magical space.

"But we will not be defeated. We will build it again."