YOUNGSTERS are missing out on their favourite toys following a yob attack.

The louts struck at a pre-school, badly damaging a metal shed of toys by jumping on the roof and kicking the doors.

The structure now leaks and water has damaged stored dolls, toy prams and hopscotch squares, leaving some too wet to use.

Joy Willis, one of the organisers at Oak Wood pre-school, based at St Mary’s Church hall, Langdon Hills, said: “You wouldn’t believe the minds of some people.

“They kicked the doors so it’s clear they tried to get in. We’ve bashed out the damage as best we can, but all the water has got in.

“We’ve got two to four-year-olds here and because most of the stuff is wet it has to be wiped before they can play.”

Staff, who decided not to tell the children what happened for fear of upsetting them, hope to salvage most of the toys.

PC Lisa Thompson, of Basildon police, branded the attack “mindless’’. Damage to the shed is put at £500.

She said: “Now the owners have to go to the expense of replacement, which nobody needs in this financial climate.

“The shed is in a locked compound, so the suspects may have jumped over the fence.’’ PC Thompson added: “If you saw anything suspicious around the area at the time, I would like to hear from you.”

The incident happened between 3.15pm on Friday, January 14, and 8.15am on Monday, January 17.

Anyone with information should call Laindon police on 0300 33344444. If you can help the pre-school call 07902 902632.

l The vandalism comes just over a year after a car crashed into fencing outside the building in High Road. Work is still under way to repair safety surfacing on the play area following the smash.