Pupils were so upset when vandals stole benches from their special garden that they wrote letters to the Oxford Mail's sister paper the Bicester Advertiser to express their views.

The children had painted the benches as part of their work to keep the garden tidy at Bardwell School, in Hendon Place, Glory Farm, Bicester.

When they returned to school after a weekend break, they were dismayed to discover the benches had been taken and a tree snapped off.

Teacher Jan Burley said: "The children are pretty upset and cross. They had worked very hard on the benches and a table. Fortunately we store the table inside."

In their letters, the children wrote of their disgust at the vandalism.

Glyn said: "This is our bad news. Some people have been vandalising our benches and snapping one of our trees.

"And they were smoking in our school and taking drugs. But I am not very happy. I spent a long time painting those benches."

Another pupil, Gary, said: "I feel annoyed that some people have come and stolen our benches and snapped our tree in half and now we don't have anywhere to sit on.

"I think the people who did this are silly.

"I wish we could get our benches back."

Callum wrote: "We are so mad and upset because people just came into our school, came in our garden and made our garden a mess.

"Why did people come and nick our benches?"

Stephanie wrote: "I find it very sad and upsetting and I really want our benches back please.

"I feel very sorry for our garden being spoiled and I'm very angry as well and I wish our that our garden will be back to normal."