A SPECIAL school is appealing to the public to help catch vandals who have smashed nearly 60 windows in just two weeks - causing £10,000 worth of damage.

Kilton Thorpe Special School's sixth form building, at Marshall Drive, Brotton, east Cleveland, has been persistently targeted during a spree of destruction which is causing great distress to pupils, staff and governors.

Headteacher Kevin Thompson said: "We can't think of a motive - it's certainly not our students. I think it's just mindless vandalism.

"We've spent hours cleaning up after each incident and, now, most of the building is boarded-up. It's like working in a tomb.

"It's a problem for us and we need the community's help to solve it. We're getting more security, but we're not confident about replacing any of the windows until we can be sure whoever has been responsible can be stopped."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is urging residents to report any incidents to the police.

Problems began at half-term, when 46 windows and blinds were smashed, forcing the school to close three teaching areas on returning to school as cleaners spent hours putting things right.

There were more problems the following weekend, with another five windows smashed.

This week, on Monday, a further seven windows were broken.

The "ammunition", according to council bosses, is coming from the nearby demolition site of the former Warsett School, being cleared for the building of the new Freebrough Community College.

The council's cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Valerie Halton, said: "We are extremely concerned about the level of vandalism which has been going on for over two weeks now.

"We are working with the police and the school and will be taking extra security measures, but, along with headteacher Kevin Thompson, we would urge the public to help us find out who's responsible."

A police spokeswoman said: "I can confirm we were called to the school last weekend following a report of windows being broken. We would ask members of the community who see anyone acting suspiciously in the school grounds to call the police."

Anyone with information can call (01642) 302626.