School bosses say they have been forced to close off access to the site out of hours because of a spate of "mindless" crimes.

Beacon Hill Community School, Aspatria, has been the victim of several attacks in recent weeks including windows being broken, fires being started and people breaking in.

It has led to a ban being put in place preventing anyone from entering the school grounds at evenings and weekends as those in charge aim to stop the school from being attacked further.

Many people in the town have been able to enjoy using the artificial pitches, school fields and tennis courts outside of school hours.

Authorised clubs, with advance permission from Beacon Hill, will still be allowed to operate.

Police have been called in and say they are investigating a number of incidents at the school and throughout the town.

Danny Gee, deputy head, told The Cumberland News : "It's not just in the school but elsewhere in the town as well.

"But in the last couple of weeks it has moved into the school.

"There's quite a bit of damage been done. We have got very high quality CCTV and we are working closely with the police.

"The vast majority of youths in the town and our pupils, we're happy for them to use things like the pitches out of school hours because it's a great facility.

"But unfortunately we have had to make it clear that no one is allowed in, which is a real shame.

"I feel disappointed because the bulk of kids in this town are really decent."

Due to the damage caused the school is going to have to replace its polytunnel greenhouse structure because it is beyond repair.

Police have been liaising with staff at Beacon Hill and officers have spoken to a number of individuals regarding the antisocial behaviour.

It is believed that a group of youths are responsible for the incidents.

Mr Gee added: "They are loitering around with nothing to do, drinking, starting fires and damaging things."

Sergeant Stephen Brown, from Cumbria Police, said: "Vandalism and criminal damage negatively impacts the whole community and it will not be tolerated.

"We will continue to work with the school to find those responsible and ensure they are dealt with appropriately.”

School leaders are also appealing for townsfolk and parents to play their part in helping stamp out the issues.

In a letter to those associated with the school, Judith Schafer, interim executive headteacher, wrote: "We would ask for your support in protecting the school from thoughtless vandals who make it impossible for the school to be flexible in allowing use of its facilities.

"We know it is only a few mindless individuals who are responsible for the damage.

"Nevertheless, we ask you to please explain to your child that they must not be on school grounds outside of school hours.

"We will be working closely with the police and increasing our monitoring of CCTV footage to deter any further vandalism, and, if necessary, taking action where appropriate quickly and robustly to protect the school for the benefit of the whole community."

She added: "It is important that everyone in the community respects and protects schools and other public buildings for the benefit of everyone.

"I am confident we can work together to prevent further vandalism and make our community a safer place."

School leaders and police officers are in talks about potentially providing some access to the site for youngsters during supervised sessions.

* Police are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything in relation to these incidents to come forward.

Anyone with information should email: 101@cumbria.police.uk, call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.