THIEVES who broke into The Chase in Malvern and stole sports equipment have left the school with a bill for hundreds of pounds.

A window was smashed, two tennis nets taken and a variety of sports equipment stolen or damaged.

Headteacher Kevin Peck said: "It just leaves a nasty taste. Sport is really good here and we provide a tremendous programme for students and when someone decides to attack that, it's frustrating. It's going to cost us money that we could have spent elsewhere."

Mr Peck said he was surprised that the PE department had been targeted.

"But I suppose sports stuff is really trendy right now," he said.

"It might be true also that our very expensive stuff, such as computers, is very well protected."

Sport teaching at the school had not been heavily affected, he said, and some of the equipment has already been replaced.

Police are still appealing for information about the incident, which is believed to have taken place between 6pm on April 29 and 2.15pm on May 2.

Anyone who saw any suspicious activity near the school at that time, or has any other information, should call police on 08457 444888.

n Pupils at The Chase have helped to raise £1,300 for St Richard's Hospice.

The hospice is the school's chosen charity for the year and a variety of events have helped to raise the funds.

These include a Wear It Pink day, PJ day and a slave auction.