A headteacher has shared her frustration after her school was targeted by lead thieves during half term.

Staff arrived at St Peter & St Paul Carbrooke Primary Academy, in Church Street, Carbrooke, near Watton, on Monday, February 24 to find that lead which holds slates to the school's roof had been taken.

Due to the wet weather, staff became aware of a number of leaks and investigated. This is when they realised the lead had been taken.

Hannah Wheeler has been the head of the school for four years. She described the situation as incredibly frustrating and needless.

She said: "When we came in on Monday the weather was heaving, we had had half term and hadn't noticed anything wrong until it started raining and there were leaks everywhere.

"We called a roofer to have a look thinking it was just a few tiles but all the lead had been taken from the roof.

"We were furious when we found out, we told the children, it's only right that they know someone has been on the property and taken something which has made us angry.

"We are a church school, a church academy and we don't feel we, or anyone, deserves this to happen. It feels extremely unfair."

Police were informed and an investigation has been launched.

Ms Wheeler said that the theft has shocked the village.

"The whole community is devastated," she added. "There have been messages of support which is brilliant but the theft is incredibly frustrating and needless, it's not just affecting the school but the children as well.

"There are laptop trolleys that have been damaged and there's other equipment that has been ruined. These can be replaced but it's frustrating and it will take time. Luckily as we came back on Monday we were able to spot it before more damage was caused. We won't know the full extent of the damage until the insurance comes back to us."

"We found a piece of rolled up lead that had been left in a bush and we hope that police will be able to find a finger print on it."

A police spokesman said: "Due to the size of the lead that has been taken a vehicle will have been used in transporting it.

"Any members of the public who saw a vehicle or with information are asked to contact 101 quoting the reference 36/13509/20."