Security is being stepped up at a closure-threatened school which has been targeted by vandals for the third time in consecutive weeks.

Youths entered St Anne's School in Lewes over the weekend and damaged the minibus, smashing three windows and breaking the steering lock.

Piles of beer cans and cigarette butts were left inside the P-registration Ford Transit, which was parked behind the school in Rotten Row.

The damage is likely to cost thousands of pounds and has put the vehicle out of action for at least a month.

Now, the 75 special needs children who rely on the bus for educational trips and swimming outings must wait until alternative transport is organised.

In two earlier incidents the soft play area attached to the main school building was broken into and the contents of the ball-pool emptied over the playground.

Obscene graffiti was scrawled over the walls.

The school is having to install heavy-duty doors, window bars and a new tin roof on the soft play area to keep the vandals out.

A CCTV system is being installed and yesterday, headteacher Gill Ingold was expected to meet police to talk about increasing surveillance.

Mrs Ingold said: "They are just a group of local youths who have nowhere to go but everyone, including the children, is incensed.

"Somebody must know who they are. They must be someone's children. We need to catch them.

"Once their pictures have gone up and everybody knows who they are, I am sure they will stop."

Bursar Judy Joyce added: "Everyone is very, very angry and upset about this. It is a distressing thing to see. We have had some bad vandalism in the past but nothing quite as horrific as this."

The future of the school could be decided on April 15, at a meeting of the Schools' Organisational Committee (SCO).

East Sussex County Council has already voted to close the school because of falling numbers. If the SCO fails to reach a majority decision to close the school or votes to keep it open, a national adjudicator will be called in to make a final decision.

Anyone with information about the vandalism can contact police on 0845 6070999.