Staff and children of an Ayr nursery were left "heartbroken" after yobs trashed their garden leaving a trail of destruction.
Cherry Tree Early Years Centre in Dalmilling had their outdoor facility torn apart in a brutal attack.
Amongst the rubble, a memorial to a former nursery worker Sylvia Brown was left smashed as children returned to find their garden “in ruins”.
Ayrshire Live can reveal the nursery was targeted not once but twice last week on Thursday, July 22 and again on Monday, July 26.
The garden which proved popular for children during the summer months was left decimated forcing staff to clean up the mess.
The destruction included damage to the garden shed, the mast broken off a sailing boat in the play area
The memorial to Sylvia — a carved tree trunk with an owl on top of it, had the owl removed and left lying on the ground.
New fencing installed at the Dalmilling Drive facility was also taken away along with plants and play equipment.
Jackie Kelly, centre manager said: “We are all shocked and disappointed by this heartless act of vandalism. We are very proud of the great facilities that local children have at the early years centre and saddened that anyone would spoil that.”
It is hoped that operational CCTV at the centre will help catch vandals.
Furious councillor Ian Cavana has slammed those responsible branding them a "disgrace".
In a swipe at vandals he said shocking pictures left him feeling "sick".
The Labour Ayr North councillor told Ayrshire Live: “It’s an absolute disgrace what these vandals have done — after the council spent so much money on that nursery.
“Then someone goes and does that — it is just the jewel in the crown.
“When I saw the pictures on Facebook I was gutted, it is just a shame for the kids.
“They should just bring back hanging - these thugs need a tougher deterrent.”
"I remember meeting Sylvia she was a lovely woman who dedicated many years to Dalmilling, it is disgusting that someone would do that to her memorial."
Nursery manager Jackie added: “The local community has rallied round, and there have been offers of help. The police have been informed, and we will do everything we can to help them identify those responsible.
“Our CCTV system was fully operational at the time of the incident. The security of facilities is always a top priority and constantly under review.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Recently we have received reports of vandalism to property within Cherry Tree Nursery, Ayr during recent weeks.
"This is extremely upsetting for staff and children. Enquiries are ongoing to find those responsible and officers will continue with patrols in the area to deter this kind of behaviour.
"We encourage anyone with information to contact 101."
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