A primary school has appealed for help to replace a handmade wooden gate which was destroyed by a reckless driver.

The Comet: The site where the gate was damagedThe site where the gate was damaged (Image: Archant)

The Wonder Wood gate at Broom Barns Community Primary School was destroyed when a 24-year-old man crashed into it after allegedly failing to stop for police.

Year 5 teacher Loretta Tuckwell spent months working on the gate and said: “It was only finished last Christmas. We had an artist who lived in St Ippolyts coming in at weekends to paint designs that were done by the children. Now we’ve basically got to start all over again so we are looking for artists and businesses to help us rebuild it.”

The Wonder Wood was created in 2013 with an £800 grant from the Herts Gardens Trust awards and also includes bug houses.

Head Jayne Currant said: “It was such a great place for the children to play in but now they’re missing out.

The Comet: The gate before it was destroyed at Broom Barns Community Primary School in Stevenage.The gate before it was destroyed at Broom Barns Community Primary School in Stevenage. (Image: Archant)

“So much work went into making the first gate and it’s such a shame it was destroyed. I would urge anyone interested in helping us to come forward and get in touch.”

And it seems the school’s appeal hasn’t fell on deaf ears.

Community group People For People works to support good causes in Stevenage and has thrown its weight behind the project. One of its founders, Kenny Arnold, said: “This is obviously something we really recommend people to get behind because there is nothing more important than the kids in our town.”

If you’d like to donate you can call the school on 01438 354913 or email admin@broombarns.herts.sch.uk.

Following the August 29 crash the car, a Vauxhall Zafira, required recovery and its driver, a 24-year-old man from Luton, was taken to hospital with minor injuries. He was reported for driving offences and possession of a Class B drug. A 21-year-old man from Stevenage, who was also in the car, was given a cannabis warning.