Extra security patrols and more CCTV cameras have been installed at Duchy College Rosewarne after vandals

caused damage and suffering to animals at the site last weekend.

The group slashed poly-tunnels at the site, released animals from their enclosures and put a ferret in with the rescue turkeys, which appear to have been injured in the attack.

The vandals also pulled down a number of CCTV cameras, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, and set off two fire extinguishers.

College nursery manager John Ashton said: “It was absolutely gutting to come in and see this damage; the whole team works so hard to make our nursery a success and this is really disappointing.

"Some of the tunnels can be repaired, but others need to have whole sections replaced and that could run into thousands of pounds; the losers in this are the students.”

Carol Knight, curriculum lead for animal science, said: “This is an appalling act and one which has had an adverse effect on the animals in our care; the turkeys, which were rescued, used to be really friendly but are now afraid to go near our team.

"One of the males has lost his plume of feathers on his rear, we don’t know if this was caused by stress or by one of the ferrets.

“We have increased the number of staff on site, there are extra security patrols and we will be working alongside the police.”

Camborne, Pool and Redruth Police, said: “We are very concerned about this animal cruelty and the considerable damage caused by the offenders.”

Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward, particularly a group that were seen on CCTV riding a bike on the site.

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers by calling 101 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting CR/057402/15.