Thieves have made off with seven tricycles used by four-year-old pupils at a Sussex school.

Intruders climbed over a roof and down into an atrium inside the school to reach the bikes.

The tricycles, each costing £100, had been bought after fund-raising efforts by the school and parents.

Wendy King, acting head of St John the Baptist School in Whitehawk Hill, Whitehawk, Brighton, said: "The children are very upset.

"We have the bikes for reception-class children to help new pupils settle in. They miss them lots."

One parent has donated a tricyle to help out and Ms King said she hoped other "fairy godmothers and godfathers" in the city would come forward.

Anyone with information about the theft or who has been offered bikes on the black market should contact Brighton police on 0845 6070999.