SECURITY guards are patrolling the new St Nicholas School development in Alcester after vandals went on the rampage over the Easter holidays.

Windows and doors were damaged during a series of attacks and one room was sprayed with foam from a fire extinguisher.

The damage has delayed building work by at least two weeks as builders are having to repair the damage before children can move into the temporary classrooms to make way for work on the main building.

The youngsters had packed up their work at the end of last term and are now having their lessons in bare rooms surrounded by cardboard boxes.

Head Teacher Sally Staley said she was angry the children were having to have their lessons in such circumstances and that the cost of the security guards, thought to be about £200 a week, is eating into the project budget.

"The money it is costing is how much it would have taken to renovate the hall," she said. "It's all very sad and has put the project back by at least two weeks.

"I feel very annoyed that money has been taken away and that the children of Years 3 and 4 are in classrooms where all the displays and all their work has been packed up ready to move.

"They are stuck in bare classrooms surrounded by boxes."