Fuel thefts at a village school have jeopardised pupils’ education.

Nonington school has had to divert money to hire heaters to keep classrooms warm.

Oil was stolen from the school tank in the summer holidays, then a new tank was tampered with.

Thieves then broke into the boiler room and drained away 1,250 litres of fuel worth £750.

Acting head Tobin Wallace-Sims said: “I am deeply saddened that people are prepared to steal from a school and, in so doing, put in jeopardy the safety of children. “They also force us to divert funds that should be used to make our pupils’ education a rich and varied experience.”

The thefts started at the Church Street school sometime during the summer holidays when oil was stolen from the tank. New supplies then went missing too.

Mr Wallace-Sims said: “We received a new tank, only to soon discover that the thieves had tampered with it and tried to force its lid off.

“I came over in the evening and waited until it was dark to see if they came back, but nothing happened.

“Later that night they obviously came back, forced the door of the boiler room and cut the inlet pipe and drained away all the fuel. This was £750 worth, 1,250 litres, so they must have come prepared with containers to take it all away.

“We have now lost £1,500 worth of fuel and until the area is made secure we cannot use the oil-fired heating.

“This means that we have had to hire electric heaters which cost a great deal to use.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Dave Keningale on 07980 683818.