TOTS at Ghyll Royd School in Burley-in-Wharfedale have been left with glum faces after every bit of their playground equipment was stolen by heartless thieves.

Staff and children arrived at the school, at Greystone Manor, on Thursday morning and discovered the nursery playground had been stripped bare overnight.

In place of the climbing frame, sand pit and seesaw were large tyre marks and footprints.

"There were lots of very disappointed faces," said headteacher Jennifer Bonner. "We have a beautiful nursery playground and somebody has driven up with a great big lorry and taken absolutely everything. It was probably worth about £1500. We can't believe what's happened.

"One little boy said to me 'Mrs Bonner, do you think they will bring it back tomorrow?'. The next day the children were looking out into the playground, thinking it might reappear."

The equipment for the outdoor play area - used by boys aged between two and four - was chained up, but that failed to deter the crooks.

"Everything has gone, even the chains," said Mrs Bonner. "Somebody has obviously come prepared to take it."

But she said the youngsters would not be without their play area for too long.

"We are a resourceful school and between the staff and the parents I'm confident we will be able to replace the equipment."

A spokesman for Ilkley Police said: "Forensic evidence has been obtained from the scene and this is enabling certain lines of inquiry to be pursued. It is a possibility that these toys and equipment were stolen to order.

"A vehicle was clearly used and it would be helpful if any sightings of suspicious persons or vehicles in the locality overnight between 16/17 May could be reported to the police by telephoning 0845 6060606."