MORE than £1,000 of donations have flooded in for a pre-school just hours after it was targeted in a suspected arson attack.

Dozens of children's toys were destroyed in a fire that took hold at the West Bicester Community Building in Shakespeare Drive on Tuesday night.

The blaze started at the outside storage area for the Jack and Jill Pre-School, leaving in its wake damaged toys, chairs, tables and the building's roof.

But just a day after the devastation, the community has responded with a flurry of toy and equipment donations plus a crowdfunding page that has already pulled in £1,025.

Pre-school manager Rebecca Barker (pictured) said: "People have been very generous, it is overwhelming how many people have offered their support.

"Vanessa [hall manager] has had lots of people donating toys and equipment, the local community has just been really happy to help.

"We have also had people offer to come and help clear up or fix the roof as well.

"It has been real community support."

A crowdfunding page hoped to raise £200 for the charity pre-school to cover additional costs outside of the insurance, including fire-proof bins and storage sheds, but smashed that target.

A message on the page from the pre-school staff and committee said: "We have been overwhelmed by the support we have been offered, this has been an emotional day for us as staff and committee.

"Especially seeing our much-loved preschool and a preschool that is so well used by the local community in tatters, but we will work tirelessly over the summer to ensure we are back up and running with hopefully little to no disruption to our children."

Those who have donated describe the "brilliant" and "lovely community facility" that the management hope can be back up and running ready for the new school term in September.

Many local businesses, including Bicester Wyevale garden centre, have also offered up toys and furniture.

The fire is now being investigated by Thames Valley Police. Nobody has been arrested in connection with the suspected arson, a spokesman confirmed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 and if you would like to donate to the pre-school contact naomi.herring@oxfordmail.co.uk