POLICE are appealing for local residents to help them catch a group of drunken vandals who attacked a primary school.

The vandals ripped off guttering, smashed windows, tore bins of walls and kicked fencing down at North Road Primary School, in Darlington, on Saturday night.

And on Monday evening, police believe the same group took the putty used to put in new windows at the school and forced it through the Yale keyholes.

The attacks have angered both staff and police, who yesterday called on anyone with information to come forward.

Beat bobby PC Jonathan Stoker said they had removed pieces of evidence from the scene, which were being sent away for fingerprinting and DNA tests.

But he said it was important that anyone with information should contact them immediately.

He said: "This was such a mindless attack and has left the staff at the school very upset and angry.

"I think it was more than likely carried out by drunken youths, in their mid-teens, who drink around the back of the school. We want people to help us catch them because North Primary School is very rarely vandalised, so this is unusual."

The council has also condemned the attack and urged local residents to help the police.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "It's just senseless vandalism. The school and local community suffer and it's the council tax payer who picks up the bill.

"We would ask local people to be vigilant if they see anything like this happening and to call the police."

Anyone with information should call (01325) 369351.