A unique set of wood carvings have been stolen from a primary school in Shortlands.

A display of nine carved logs representing British animals stood outside Highfield Infants' school in Highfield Drive.

But three of them were stolen between July 7 and July 10.

The carvings were made at the school by chainsaw carver Jutta Stiller as part of a yearlong project that started in July 2016 that celebrated Highfield’s ethos.

Money was raised by a parents group and pupils enjoyed watching the carvings being made.

Headteacher Ann Golding said: “My initial response was sadness because we have had so many people walk past and pop in to have a look at the carvings.

“A years’ worth of work has now gone because of someone’s selfish and unthinking actions.”

Ms Golding discovered that the carvings had been stolen when she arrived at the school and was told by a family that the deer had been taken. Then she noticed that the other two carvings had gone.

Ms Golding said that shock and sadness has rippled through the community after the thefts.

She said: “Our community has been thoroughly shocked by the theft, parents, children and staff.

“The carvings are very much a part of the identity of the school as each class is named after one of the animals. The three classes that had the animals stolen feel bereft.

“The animals are a part of the culture of our school and our identity."

The school is thinking of ways in which they can keep the animals secure in the future. Pupils from the school have designed security systems that will help protect the animals from thieves.

One child drew a security system on paper that used an elaborate laser system. Ms Golding said it might be difficult to put into practice.

The animals are being replaced by the school. Parents have offered to pay for the replacements.

Ms Golding praised the police who posted a tweet last Friday that appealed for people to come forwards to help catch the culprits.

A police spokesperson said: “the children and the parents are understandably very upset by what happened so we are hoping the power of social media will assist in finding and returning the carvings.”

Despite the school’s plans to replace the carvings they are still hoping that they will be returned.

If you have any information on the location of the carvings contact Shortlands Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0208 721 2614 or Shortlands.snt@met.police.uk or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.