Children at a Bradford playscheme have been forced indoors after their new playground fence was stolen.

Thieves struck at Bradford Moor Community Centre in Bradford Moor while youngsters and staff were on a day trip to Bridlington.

They dismantled and took a large section of the £870 fence which had only been erected three weeks earlier.

The playscheme had just been awarded a grant on safety grounds to build the fence because it was feared the youngsters were at risk from vehicles in a nearby car park.

The thieves even managed to rip up a park bench cemented into the ground.

The 75 children on the Bradford Moor Tenants and Residents Association playscheme have had to stay indoors since the fence was stolen.

Association member Teresa Hardy said staff were upset they had been targeted.

She said: "I am just so saddened because we have done so much to help the people of this estate. We are now going to have to go out and raise even more funds to get the fence put up again as soon as possible."

She added she was relieved the thieves had not managed to get into the building.

"This was clearly a professional job as they have had to use various tools to dismantle the fence," she said.

"I just want to appeal to the people who are doing this to leave our stuff alone. It is there for the benefit of the children who live round here."

The successful playscheme runs programmes for three age groups of children up to the age of 20.

A spokesman for Bradford North police said they were investigating the theft. They can be contacted on (01274) 376059.