Staff at a town primary school have told of their dismay after thieves stole a �400 telescope.

Police have appealed for information after thieves broke into the grounds of Morland Primary School at some point between 6.15pm on Monday, March 21, and 5.30am on Tuesday, March 22.

While inside, the school’s large telescope was stolen.

Ken Marrable, the school’s headteacher, told the Evening Star that students were unable to look at the plants and stargaze during science lessons.

“It’s disappointing to think that someone would do this,” said Mr Marrable. “We use the telescope a lot in the winter months when it gets dark a lot earlier.

“It was great for the students to see the plants and the stars. In the summer months we could see all the way across the River Orwell.”

The thief of the telescope – a six inch Newtonian reflector, which cost around �400 – has meant that the hopes of starting a school astronomy club can not be pursued.

Mr Marrable said that the intruder kicked the lower panel of the door in and “scarpered” with the telescope.

He added: “Someone must have seen a person walking around the Gainsborough estate with a telescope over their shoulder.

“From now on, instead of counting the moons of Jupiter or seeing the rings of Saturn, we will have to use an old pair of binoculars to get a blurry look at some of the larger lunar craters.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PCSO Robert Stringer-Calvert on 01473 613500.

n Can you help replace the telescope at Morland Primary School? E-mail hollie-rae.merrick@eveningstar.co.uk