THIEVES armed with bolt cutters have robbed children of hundreds of pounds worth of new toys.

The toys were stolen from a padlocked bin at Annfield Plain Infant School, Stanley, County Durham, in the mid-term break.

Headteacher Susan Marr said the children were "absolutely stunned" by the theft, which came just weeks after the completion of an outdoor play area for new arrivals.

Mrs Marr said: "Parents and the community banded together to create the facility and we have just completed painting murals on the walls.

"Parents collected vouchers from the local garage to buy the play equipment, and held fundraising efforts to get what we believed was going to be a secure outdoor unit. We did not seek publicity because we did not want people to be aware of the courtyard."

She said: "That someone could come equipped to break in to steal children's toys is beyond belief."

Among the toys stolen were: a ball pool, one pop-up and one conventional tent, a tunnel, a silver chrome scooter and basket ball stand and balls.

DC Shaun Bailey said: "Thieves have no consciences and do not discern between young and old, rich or poor. We have had a number of problems with thefts from outhouses, with thieves using bolt cutters to gain entry.

"As we near the summer holidays we will be taking special measures at schools in the area."