Children were left devastated after thieves stole their toys during a raid on a nursery garden.

Dismayed staff arrived at Grove Green Community Hall one morning to discover three ride-on trikes had been swiped.

The supervisors, children and parents at Fledgelings Nursery have been busy fundraising for more than two years to raise money to revamp the outside equipment and environment but are now left wondering what to do.

Karen Plaw from the Penhurst Close nursery said: “We are very disappointed that someone thought it was ok to just help themselves to our ride-on cars and we are now left wondering if it’s worth spending money on our garden if all our efforts will be ruined.

“The children were so upset and it was difficult to try and explain where their toys had gone.”

It is not the first time the nursery has been targeted, with a number of ride-on cars having been stolen in the past.

The nursery is currently checking CCTV, which will be forwarded to the police.

“The children were so upset and it was difficult to try and explain where their toys had gone” - Karen Plaw

Deputy manager Sarah Coleman added: “We have had a few bits go missing in the past but because of all our work to improve the garden, and because these toys were generous donations, it is all the more disappointing.

“It feels like we are doing all we can to provide a nice outdoor space as we use it as part of our curriculum so it is upsetting when someone comes in and just takes things.

“We are just hoping whoever took them doesn’t come back.”

The nursery, which has a ‘good’ Ofsted rating, has 35 children on its roll aged between two and five.

If you have any toys you can donate, get in touch with Fledgelings on 07783 573885.