THE damage caused by one night of vandalism at Crowdys Hill School's farm in Stratton has been repaired and restored by a group of volunteers from the Midcounties Co-operative.

A £750 Co-operative Community Dividend grant has also been given to the school to buy materials.

Yesterday, 10 staff from Co-op shops and offices, including four from the Newport Street store, began work to restore parts of the farm destroyed by vandals in July.

"We wanted to help restore the farm quickly because the children are keen to see the animals returned to their homes," said Midcounties Co-Operative's refrigeration services manager Bryan Cranston, who is co-ordinating the project.

"When we heard about what had happened we wanted to do something practical to help. Being a school for children with special needs it really touched a nerve.

"It'll be great to see the kids' faces when the work is done and all the animals are brought back."

The volunteers tackled a number of jobs including fitting windows and shutters in the workshop, putting in safety glass in two greenhouses, rebuilding the pigpen, laying a concrete slab floor in the alpaca pen, repairing fences and painting new buildings and fencing.

The Midcounties Co-operative has a policy of encouraging its staff to volunteer for work that benefits the local community.

As well as volunteer time and the Co-operative Community Dividend grant, donations have been made from suppliers to The Midcounties Co-operative, including Carter Brothers.

Catharine Smith, head of rural studies at the school, said: "It is fantastic they have lent their support to us. They worked all day and some of them enjoyed themselves so much they want to come back again."