A SHED and fencing company owner will build a playhouse for a pre-school after hearing the “upsetting news” that its playhouse was ruined in a vandalism attack.

Dan Cox, of D&J Timber Buildings, has volunteered to build a new playhouse from scratch, after reading the Worcester News story about St Peter’s Pre School suffering from two break-ins over the Easter holiday.

Mr Cox, aged 29, said: “It was upsetting to hear the news, as effectively the playhouse had been stolen from the kids. Stealing from children is the lowest of lows.”

He added: “As the pre-school is a registered charity, it will take a while for them to raise enough funds to replace the playhouse. And as there are children involved, we want to give them their new playhouse as soon as possible.”

Mr Cox says he visited the pre-school in St Peter’s Church Lane, Droitwich, and spoke to the manager, Trudie Harris, adding: “She gave us a rough idea of the design she wanted and where it will be fitted. We will manufacture the playhouse next week and will deliver and install it at the school upon request.”

Mrs Harris said: “It is absolutely amazing. I am so shocked. For someone to give us something like that, it is such a kind gesture. They are only a small business, so it will cost them a lot of money. We did send emails to other shed companies and bigger businesses, however they told us they do not have the funding.

“The new playhouse will have flower boxes in the window and a chimney fitted in. It will be so lovely. I feel thrilled.”

Mrs Harris says she has been having meetings with St Peter’s Church, which is located adjacent to the pre-school, after the break-ins.

She said the pre-school will be installing a CCTV system in an attempt to make the area a safer place, after the school’s dummy camera that was in place was damaged from the vandalism attack.

The first attack saw the fences being torn down and garden toys damaged. The second break-in saw a playhouse stolen, and broken glass spread across the garden.

D&J Timber Buildings, based at Shrub Hill Industrial Estate, is a family run business owned by Mr Cox and his mother, Joe Cox.

Mr Cox added: “We love the fact that our customers are supporting us and local businesses so we thought we would give something back to the local community.”