BURGLARS have targeted a pre-school as the spate of burglaries across the Tyne Valley continues.

Criminals smashed through the fire door of Corbridge pre-school on Thursday, August 2, making off with the pre-school's petty cash tin.

General manager Claire Jackson said: "It's awful. They broke in through the fire door, broke another door and used a crowbar or something to break into locked drawers in the office and stole the petty cash tin, which we found emptied on Aydon Road.

"It wasn't much cash, it's more about the damage. We don't have much cash and pretty much everything we have is donated."

However, the community has rallied round the first school in a bid to get the damage repaired.

Claire added: "We've had loads of messages of support from parents and people in the village.

"One of the mums, who makes brilliant cakes, has had a cake raffle to help us fix the doors.

"You see the good side of people after something like this."

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said that officers attended the scene and are appealing for information.

Inquiries are currently ongoing and anyone with information should contact police by calling 101 quoting crime number 102301V/18, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

The burglary comes following a number of similar crimes across Tynedale.

In addition to the three businesses in Hexham targeted last week, Wentworth Café was also targeted by burglars in the early hours of Wednesday, August 1.

The offender smashed the class panel of the front door at around 5am, stealing a cash draw from the premises.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said:"The offence is thought to have taken place at around 3am of the same day.

"Inquiries are currently ongoing and anyone with information should contact police by calling 101 quoting log 141 01/08/18."