STAFF and students at a school in Old Trafford were 'devastated' when burglars broke in and stole more than 20 laptops.

The burglars struck at St Alphonsus Primary School on Hamilton Street around a month ago, also stealing some of the school's cash.

Head Tina Birds said the laptops were important to the students' education, having been used both at school and at home.

However, Trafford Council and Trafford Housing Trust have now stepped in to replace them.

Holly Townhill, of Trafford Council, visited the school to deliver the partnership's donation.

Ms Birds said: "We were devastated after the break in, and couldn’t believe it had happened.

"Thank you so much to Trafford Council and Trafford Housing Trust for the donation – it's given everybody at the school a huge lift.

"These laptops were so crucial to our children and their education and I'm delighted they've been replaced.

It's also perfect timing as we're on half term. Again, thank you so much for the donation – it means so much to us all."

Cllr Mike Freeman, Trafford Council’s executive member for Covid-19 recovery and reform, added: "There are few things more terrible than the impact of a burglary, but stealing learning equipment vital to our children’s education is particularly despicable.

"Trafford Council is delighted to have played a part in helping the school replace the laptops and we're grateful to our partner Trafford Housing Trust.

"We're committed to ensuring children in our borough have the best access to learning and computers. Thank you to everyone who made this happen."

Larry Gold, chief executive of Trafford Housing Trust, said: "We're really pleased to be able to support the students at St Alphonsus Primary following the break in with the laptop donation.

"Being safe and confident online is increasingly essential in education, so we're glad to be doing what we can to support the pupils' digital education as part of our ongoing investment into the lives of young people in our communities."