VANDALS have damaged a school memorial garden dedicated to murdered pupil Ryan Mason just before the first anniversary of his death.

Children arrived at Queensbridge Primary School in Farnworth on Wednesday to discover the damage to the peaceful oasis they had created in tribute to Ryan, who was killed when he was just seven.

Ryan's father Greg Pickup described the actions of the vandals as "mindless and vile."

"The timing couldn't have been worse," he said. "It's coming up to the first anniversary and it's acutely disrespectful to his memory."

Ryan's body was found on February 12 last year in a bin bag on Great Lever and Farnworth golf course. Ronald Mariner was given a life sentence in October after being convicted of murder.

Headteacher Sheila Holland said the attack on the memorial garden had shocked pupils and staff.

Vandals overturned two large wooden planter boxes, ruining one and damaging the other.

She said: "It's very distressing for all of us. The children are very upset. The money for this garden was donated by all the people who thought anything of Ryan, his family and friends.

"My feelings towards whoever did this are not printable. There's a plaque dedicated to Ryan, so they must have realised the garden's significance."

Miss Holland said the school caretaker, who discovered the damage, had tidied up one of the upturned boxes, but the other had been left for the children to see.

"I wanted to use it as a learning experience," she said. "I wanted the children to see what other people are capable of. It's totally thoughtless."

Bolton South East MP Dr Brian Iddon said: "I'm amazed and annoyed that anybody can do something like that. It's an insult to the family and it's a shame for the school who made such a good job of the garden."

The garden was officially opened in October. It was the idea of Mr Pickup, who wanted to create a memorial to his son at the school. Former classmates helped work on it.