A SCHOOL which was eagerly anticipating Sunderland’s League Cup final has been left devastated after burglars broke in, causing hundreds of pounds-worth of damage.

West Rainton Primary School headteacher Alison McDonough said a party atmosphere had turned to sadness within two days.

The region’s media descended on the village school, near Durham City, on Tuesday (February 25) as pupils gave it a red and white makeover to celebrate Sunderland’s Wembley date.

But overnight into today (Thursday, February 27), crooks smashed their way into an office.

They failed to get through one window, before trying a different one and getting in.

In total, they caused about £500 of damage – as well as turning the office upside down and stealing about £40.

Mrs McDonough said: “Everybody’s shocked. It’s so sad to think somebody would do this to the children.

“It’s a very minimal amount of money but it’s the damage that’s been caused and that the children know somebody’s been in their school.

“It was like a party atmosphere but within two days it’s changed to sadness.”

The break-in happened between 6pm yesterday and 7am today.

PC Brendan Barton said: “Staff at the school are understandably upset as they take great pride in their school.”

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call Durham Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.