RAMPAGING youths have landed a primary school with a hefty mopping up bill after running amok in a frenzied paint-hurling spree.

Teachers at Brookvale Primary were left speechless when they returned after the weekend break to find the premises in such a state sections of the building had to remain closed to prevent further damage.

The intruders were intent on causing the maximum amount of wanton destruction and disruption of classes by:

* Kicking down the door to the boiler room and caretaker store.

* Stealing 20 industrial-sized tins of paint.

* Throwing emulsion across the walls and floor.

* Splattering paint over shutters.

* Leaving fences dripping with paint.

* Hurling ceramic tiles around the school grounds.

* Smashing fluorescent lights against the building.

A crack-team of industrial cleaners and staff on Monday joined forces to clear up the mess and restore a sense of normality to the school.

But their team spirit was crushed and their hard work ruined when the vandals returned the same night and continued the wave of destruction.

'There has always been a problem with vandalism in this area but recently it seems to be getting worse,' said headteacher Barbara Boden.

'Whoever it was has come in, broken into the boiler and caretaker room and sloshed paint of every colour over the walls, floors and shutters.

'We couldn't even open the entrance because the shutter and the ground were covered and we couldn't get in.

'We got a great team in to help clean it up. They worked all day and managed to get the thick of it removed. But then the vandals came back, found some rogue tins and threw paint all over it again.'

To add insult to injury, the school has been landed with the cost of the clear-up operation as it can not claim against vandalism on the insurance.

Now Mrs Boden is hoping someone will come forward with information about the attacks.

'There were footmarks and tyre tracks in the paint so whoever was responsible must have gone home covered in the stuff,' she said.

'The path outside the school is a public walkway and is well used. I hope if anyone did see anything they would report it in an effort to rebuild community spirit.

'Staff and parents at school have been really helpful and supportive and the cleaning team are doing a fantastic job.

'I just hope that people in the community have the courage to speak up if they do know anything about the vandalism.'