THERE’S nothing like community spirit to warm the cockles of your heart.

Yesterday, the Messenger revealed that vandals had destroyed plants Lime Tree Primary Academy children were lovingly cultivating for an exhibit at next month’s RHS Tatton Show.

They broke into the school’s polytunnel during overnight on Tuesday, chopping the heads off ready-to-bloom flowers specially chosen for the kids’ ‘Lion King’ themed garden.

The green-fingered youngsters were left heartbroken, with nine months of hard work callously ruined.

But the school pledged to salvage the project, with a ‘show must go on’ mentality.

After the school’s plight was published on our website, people flocked to help.

Jacqui Brocklehurst, one of the school’s ‘Outdoor Team’ staff, said: “Our faith in human kindness has been restored. We have had so many emails from people who are bringing us plants and parents dropping plants in. People are offering donations it's all fantastic.”

After seeing the article, staff from Tesco Extra Baguley, Tesco Extra Sale and Tesco Express Norris Road clubbed together.

This morning, workers from the three stores went down to the school with a £200 cash donation and a hamper of gardening tools and plant pots.

“We are so pleased that the children are seeing the good side of the community,” added Jacqui.

“It's definitely turning into a triumph. Our garden is going to be fantastic.”