SCHOOLCHILDREN who wrote open letters to vandals who wrecked their wildlife and reading areas have been delighted to learn that a building company will help repair the damage.

Partner Construction has offered £1,000 to Thornley Primary School in Thornley, east Durham, following the article in The Northern Echo.

Pupils at the school returned from their Christmas break to find the school field and equipment had been extensively damaged.

They decided to do something positive and wrote open letters to the vandals, addressing the issue of how the thoughtless act affected them and their school.

One of the pupils, Matilda Atkinson, 10, wrote: “At Thornley Primary, we learn how to treat each other with respect. What you have done has hurt both our school and our community."

Grace MacKay, marketing executive at the Spennymoor-based firm, said: “The letters written by the children struck a chord with everyone at Partner and as result we wanted to make sure we could do something to help, particularly as we are still on site at a new development in the village.

“I have spoken to the headteacher (Jennifer Pearce) and we have agreed to donate £1,000 to the school.

“This will either be in terms of labour to fix the damage or a cheque donation and the school will arrange the labour themselves.

Mrs Pearce said: “We are delighted with the generous offer made by Partner Construction– and that it has come a result of something that the children have done themselves.

“The Year 6 pupils did a marvellous job with the letters they wrote.

“The fact that something positive has come from their actions must make them see that there is good in the world."

Partner Construction, which works in partnership with Home Group, is constructing 28 affordable homes in Dunelm Road, Thornley.