A COMMUNITY garden used by youngsters from a Hexham school has been targeted by vandals.

Teachers at Hexham First School returned from the the half-term holiday to find the garden, which is next to a public footpath and used by pupils on a weekly basis, in a state of disarray.

Two panes of glass in the greenhouse had been broken, plants uprooted and fruit trees stolen.

Headteacher, Rebecca Jackson, thanked police for their swift response.

"We would like to say thank you to the police and also to the local community who have offered their support," she said.

"People have offered time, replacement plants and even replacement trees."

Officers say the damage was reported at 10.45am on Tuesday and inquiries are ongoing.