NURSERY bosses say they have been overwhelmed by donations and offers of support since wine-swilling vandals wrecked their garden and baby room.

Nanna’s Day Nurseries had its site in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, trashed on Monday night.

Police are investigating after windows were smashed, eggs were thrown and wine bottles were left at the nursery.

But a fundraising page to help them with the clean-up and buy any replacement items needed has already helped raise hundreds of pounds.

A number of items had to be thrown away because glass was embedded in them, making it dangerous for youngsters and adults.

A spokesman for the nursery thanked everyone who had got in touch with it since it was targeted for the third time in three years.

“We have been completely and utterly blown away by all the offers of support and kind words we have received from so many people and families - old and new, far and wide, including other nurseries and pre-schools,” he said.

“Our first day of the big clean up was a huge success, despite being incredibly emotionally and physically draining.

“The baby room has been emptied and everything put aside to thoroughly clean, sadly all soft furnishings have had to be thrown away including rugs and mats due to the tiny shards of glass embedded in the fibres which we simply could not clean.

“Our windows were properly boarded up last night and we have made a start on the garden.

“We will continue to vacuum the artificial turf for the next few days before re-evaluating this situation.

“We have been donated lots of compost and some new garden toys already and a kind grandad is going to make us some new planters.”

The fundraising page has been set up by Karen Mulholland, whose grandchildren have all attended the nursery.

She described the damage as “mindless”.

The £500 target has already been reached, but donations can still be made by visiting gofundme.com/f/nannas-nursery-break-in.

Anyone with any information about the break in should call Essex Police on 101.

Details can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crime

stoppers-uk.org.