Thugs entered Newton Road Community Primary School, in Rushden, on Saturday night and damaged the new garden as well as killing the two ducks, Newton and Primrose.

The school officially opened the renovated garden last month in memory of former teacher Linda Clow, 42, who also taught in Kingsthorpe for many years and who died at the end of last year after suffering a stroke.

Headteacher Andrew Sears said: "The ducks were part of our garden project. They were there to teach the children about looking after animals and about life cycles.

"Sadly, someone has come on to the site and beheaded the ducks. I can't believe people would act that way.

"We are very disappointed something that was designed to enhance the community and make the local area more pleasant has been disrespected and spoiled.

"This is a school that is very much at the heart of the community and the people who did this obviously don't have much respect for that.

"We want to let parents know that the garden project will continue to develop as planned, although we will not be replacing the ducks."