VANDALS have damaged a playground memorial to a Bournemouth schoolboy who died earlier this year after suffering a brain tumour.

Taylor Fish passed away on February 18 after suddenly collapsing at his cousin's birthday party. Despite efforts to save him at Southampton hospital, the much-loved Kingsleigh Primary School pupil tragically lost his battle for life 16 days before his ninth birthday.

But just a fortnight after his mother Rachael launched a Jolly Taylor pirate play ship in his honour, the memorial has been vandalised.

She told the Daily Echo: “I'm devastated. The school is closed but I've heard that the children responsible climbed over the fence. The police were called. Apparently there were boys and girls involved.

“I can't believe anyone would do such a terrible thing; so much work went into the ship and around £10,000 was raised for the lasting tribute to Taylor.

“It was also something for the Kingsleigh pupils to enjoy for a very long time.

“Taylor's gone but the children who did this are still here; it's so wrong.”

PTA chairman Janet Farmer, who organised the fundraising fun day, branded those responsible “thugs”.

She said: “The whisky barrel has been turned over and moved, the ship's wheel has been pulled and is now very wobbly and the ship's ropes have been pulled off. The treasure chest has also been damaged.”

She said that after the police had been informed it had been decided that those responsible would repair the damage they had caused, adding: “I hope they think twice before attempting to trespass again.”

A Dorset police spokesman said two boys and two girls had been “spoken to” by officers following a report of suspected criminal damage and youths scaling a 15ft high security fence on Sunday evening.

He added that there were plans for “a follow-up” visit to the school.