The mother of a severely ill child has condemned the vandals who destroyed his main means of transport in a £3,000 wrecking spree.

Down Syndrome sufferer,16-year-old Tim Lambert's cherished made-to measure tricycle was his only alternative to a wheelchair - but heartless vandals tore it apart when they broke into Chapel Grange Special School at the weekend.

The break-in at the school in Rhodesway left £3,000 worth of outdoor pursuits equipment smashed and has ruined a holiday for a group of disabled children.

Tim's mother, Barbara, said he was devastated to lose his three wheeled trike, which was worth more than £600 and paid for by the charity, The Disabled Children's Foundation.

"These people are so sick. I now understand the meaning of the word 'mindless'.

"I don't know how they can sleep at night. But I am sure what goes around comes around and they will get their comeuppance."

Tim, who lives with his mum and 19-year-old brother Joel, who also has Downs Syndrome, in Bingley Road, Shipley.

The trike was vital for Tim to get around. He suffers from a serious spinal condition and is going blind. The plucky youngster also has a heart murmur and has twice undergone open heart surgery as a toddler.

"He can't walk very far and we have a wheelchair for him," said Mrs Lambert.

"Getting the trike meant a great deal to him. It boosted his self esteem and helped him physically and mentally. It was like the door had been unlocked for him."

The vandals who broke into the school wrecked climbing, sailing, abseiling, skiing, canoeing, camping and cycling equipment which had been housed in a secure steel clad garage behind the school.

Alan Elsworth, co-ordinator of outdoor pursuits, said the attack will ruin a holiday in the Lake District in two weeks' time.

"We were taking a bunch of the children up to Ennerdale and we were going to do sailing, climbing and so on.

"We will still be able to go, but because we have had so much equipment destroyed, the range of activities will be severely curtailed."

Headteacher Hilary Morrison said the children at the school for about 100 youngsters with moderate to severe learning difficulties, were deeply upset.

"This is so disappointing for them to come back after their Easter holidays to find the whole thing falling apart.

" The youngsters get a great deal out of their outdoor pursuit activities, it is something they all look forward to and all talk about.

"This kind of activities really build their self esteem and self confidence and there is a huge knock on effect to other parts of the curriculum."

Police were called to the school earlier during the Easter holiday to investigate an attempted burglary. The last serious vandalism attack at Chapel Grange was around two years ago when 24 windows were smashed.

Sgt Roy Wensley, community liaison officer at Toller Lane, said police were investigating the break-in and called on anyone who witnessed the burglary to contact him on (01274) 376219.

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