CHILDREN at a Hampshire school have been left devastated after a graffiti gang attacked a new play facility one week after it opened.

A pirate ship at Manor Infant School, Holbury, has been defaced with numbers and letters, including "RIP" and a graffiti tag that reads "Jawz Was Here".

Now staff and parents are hoping the potential clue will help police catch the culprits.

Children at the school designed the wooden boat with the help of ex-pupil Matthew Abbott.

Matthew returned on June 27 to open the facility, which was built following the success of a £6,500 fundraising campaign that took two years.

Head teacher Gill Hamer said: "The parents and pupils are absolutely devastated.

"They're shocked and upset and can't understand why anyone would even think of doing that to something that everyone is very proud of."

Police are investigating.