CHILDREN have described the yobs who caused £15,000 worth of damage to their school’s nature reserve as “sick” and “horrible”.

Bridges, decking, benches and fencing in a woodland area at the back of Crofton Junior School, Towncourt Lane, Orpington, were found broken when the children came to use it on Wednesday morning.

The woodland, which has a stream and nature trail running through it, was used by pupils on an almost daily basis for nature work as well as a place to play in.

Now it will be closed for weeks until repairs are made.

Headteacher Richard Sammonds says it is the children who are suffering.

He said: “They’re bearing the brunt of this. They’re constantly asking can we go down to the woodland. It may be some time before we can make it safe again.”

Year 6 pupils were appalled by the damage.

Steven Howell, 10, said: “Going down here was a treat for us, it was fun to come here.

“The people who did this are sick, I could not live with the guilt.”

Joanna Ralphs, 10, said: “It was really nice to come here and I don’t know how someone could have destroyed all of this really hard work.”

Jemima Demi-Ejegi, 10, said: “Whoever did this must be really horrible, imagine how the animals must have felt.”

Henry Spriggs, 10, said: “They must have been horrible to wreck a beautiful place like this.”

Mr Sammonds says a lot of money was spent turning the woodland into a nature reserve.

He said: “They made a pretty good job of destroying it all.

“We’ve had occasional vandalism in the past but nothing like this.

“I am puzzled as to who could have done it.”

Police believe the attack took place between October 31 and November 5.

A police spokesman said: “The mindless damage and vandalism caused during this attack has caused great distress and it is incomprehensible as to why anyone would commit such an act.

“Those who have committed this spiteful crime are criminals and do not deserve any respect.”

Anyone with any information should call 01689 891212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.