CHILDREN at a Wrexham playgroup have been left heartbroken after thieves scaled an eight foot high fence to steal play equipment.

Clare Dillon, committee chairwoman at Garden Village Playgroup, condemned those responsible for taking items including a slide, rocking horses and a trampoline.

Police are investigating the thefts which happened some time between Saturday night and Monday morning.

The playgroup, which is attended by a total of 26 two and three-year-olds, is a registered charity and all the equipment had been donated by parents, grandparents and people in the local community.

Clare said: “It’s just unbelievable that anybody would do this. We are a charity and don’t get any funding. We exist purely on people’s goodwill.

“The equipment was donated to us and we, as well as the children, are absolutely gutted about it.”

The playgroup, which meets every day in the week from 9.15am-11.45am, is based at Garden Village Young People’s Centre and shares part of the facility’s garden.

Clare said: “We have got quite a high perimeter fence so we think it must have been premeditated.

“There must have been a couple of them involved at least because the equipment was quite large.

“One of the staff members was here on Saturday, so the equipment must have taken some time after that.

“It’s such a shame because we were working really hard on our outdoor area.

“I don’t know how anybody could be so heartless.”

Clare appealed for anybody who might have seen the stolen equipment to come forward with information.

She said: “We are just hoping people can keep an eye out for it, and report it if they see anything.”

To get in touch with North Wales Police phone 0845 607 1002.

Anybody who could help the playgroup in any other way is asked to phone 07530 430771.