COMPUTERS, laptops and digital cameras have been stolen from a Tiverton school just weeks after it unveiled premises refurbished at a cost of £750,000.

New and remodelled classrooms at Castle Primary School, in Barrington Street, were targeted by thieves who got away with equipment estimated to be worth £3,500.

The burglary is believed to have occurred sometime overnight on Wednesday, February 24, and was discovered the following morning.

Headteacher David Barnes said: "The staff were devastated. We had just got things up and running following the recent building work.

"These callous people have taken resources from children. It is so frustrating because it is not just the cost of replacing this equipment, it is a huge waste of time and effort to restore things.

"Those responsible do not appear to be opportunists. They took a large amount of heavy equipment, so they must have brought a vehicle onto the school site. They also caused damage around the school, cutting wires when they couldn't unplug equipment."

Mr Barnes said that fortunately no children's work had been lost as a result of the break-in, but their education had still been disrupted.

"The children find it hard to understand," he said. "They couldn't go into their classroom on Thursday until police had carried out a forensic examination."

Anyone with information on the break-in, or anyone offered security marked items, is asked to call Tiverton Police on 08452 777444, or through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.