Vandals broke into a nursery and smashed pumpkins which were being grown by toddlers in time for Halloween.

The yobs are believed to have broken into the Child First Nursery School, in Launton Road, Bicester, overnight on Wednesday.

The remains of the pumpkins were found scattered around nearby Garth Park.

Nursery worker Andrea Leonard – pictured with, back from left, Rhoda Copeland-Phillips, Elizabeth Shortland, both four, and Ellie Hill, three, and front, from left, Paige Blackley, Yasmine Edwards, Leo Claxton, Paul Groves and Ned Piper, all three – said: “The children had been really looking forward to picking their pumpkins ready for Halloween.

“They are all really very upset. It is just mindless vandalism.”

Police are investigating the incident which happened between 6.30pm Wednesday and 7.30am Thursday.

Anyone with any information should contact the Bicester Neighbourhood Police team on 08458 505505.