CRIMINAL damage has been reported at a North Tyne school.

Inquiries are now ongoing to find those responsible for the significant damage caused at Bellingham Middle School.

Broken glass was scattered over the recently repaired multi-use games area, a picnic bench was smashed and a fire was started inside a rubbish bin.

Headteacher Lindsay Hamilton said: "We were all really saddened this morning to see a lot of deliberate damage to our school.

"Apart from being incredibly dangerous for our children, our caretaker has had to spend a long time this morning making the site safe.

"This damage is also going to cost us a lot of money to repair!"

Anyone with any information that could help officers should contact Northumbria Police quoting reference NP-20220314-0326.