CHILDREN at a Sale school have been left heartbroken after plants they were cultivating for an exhibit at next month’s RHS show were trashed by a mindless vandals.

Lime Tree Primary Academy’s polytunnel was broken into vandalised on Tuesday overnight.

The vandals wreaked havoc at the Budworth Road school, causing significant damage to the plants inside and chopping the heads off all of the flowers.

The crime is yet more contemptable due to the fact that the plants that were destroyed were being cultivated by the school’s ‘Outdoor Team’ and the schoolchildren for a display at the RHS show at Tatton Park next month.

The pupils, primarily Year 5s, had picked out red and yellow plants, grasses and sunflowers to reflect the ‘Lion King’ theme that they were assigned by RHS organisers.

The children and staff spent months nurturing the plants, watering them every day, even on weekends, and were looking forward to putting the display together.

Staff said the children, who lovingly cared for the plants since they sowed them in October, were heartbroken.

“The kids that we are teaching now are learning the value of plants and the kids that have done this probably never have been taught,” said Jacqui Brocklehurst, who discovered the vandalism on Wednesday afternoon.

“I used to be a gardener and landscaper and called the RHS up to see if we could take part. It is such a huge thing for us. “The kids are really devastated and the teachers are too. It’s such a mindless thing to do.

“It won’t prevent us from going to the show though. We will carry on.”

Neighbours said they saw teenagers climbing over the wall on Tuesday night, something that is a common occurrence.

Whilst the youngsters usually play a game of football, some have caused great upset.

The school, which has a strong outdoor learning ethic, had chickens released from an onsite coop by the youths. Fortunately they are all safe and accounted for. The school’s rabbits have also been stolen the past.

Jacqui, a member of the Outdoor Team, is determined not let this latest incident destroy the children’s dream of exhibiting in next month’s flower show.

“At the moment, we are going to take the children out and lay out the garden with the plants we still have,” she said.

“It is too late to grow plants now so we will have to raid our own gardens – we will have to beg, borrow and steal but it’s important we make it happen.”

Green-fingered residents can help make the project a success.

The school is in need of spare plant pots, plants – particularly bright red or yellow – and sunflowers that are ready to bloom. Dahlia plants are also welcomed.

If you can help, contact the school on office@limetree.trafford.sch.uk.