Heartbroken afterplayhouse is stolen

Staff at at Magical Steps Pre-School discovered the Winnie the Pooh tree-house had gone missing during the Easter holidays from the grounds of the Scout hut in Southfields Road, where the pre-school meets. They had to break the news to children returning this week after the break.

“They are very upset that they don’t have a playhouse any more.

“We all feel very angry. It just goes to show some people have no scruples at all.

“The children loved playing in it and used it as a pretend ice cream parlour. It was a really nice playhouse, with shutters on the windows and a slide. All we want to say is we want our playhouse back,” said Magical Steps manager Deena Charman.

The playhouse was given to the pre-school three years ago by the family of a child who was leaving, in gratitude for the care received from the staff there.

Mrs Chaman added: “It took three of us to move it, it was quite heavy, so there must have been more than one person involved in taking it.”

Anyone with information about the stolen playhouse, or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in that area during the Easter holidays, is asked to contact Sussex Police, telephone 101.