OVER £7,000 is needed to replace everything lost in the arson attack at Strathmore School in Meadlands Drive, Petersham.

The 47 children with learning difficulties returned from the summer holiday to find their play area burnt to the ground and the full extent of the loss has now been realised. Headteacher, Ann Nanasi, said: "The most urgent thing is replacing our lovely log cabin. I’ve seen a perfect one in B&Q and that costs £5,000.

"Unfortunately we had stored all our outdoor play equipment in there, thinking it would be safer, and this will cost £2,100 to replace. We lost a dolls’ house, a wooden train set, a go-cart, two fun wagons, musical instruments, two taxi-bikes - which are specialist and cost £250 - and two sensory activity boards that cost £120 and are for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties."

In addition, Mrs Nanasi would like to raise money for landscaping outside: "The whole play area is still black and out of use. I am having to employ additional staff so that we can use the adjacent playground. It’s further away and has bigger equipment so they’ll need a lot more supervision. Some of our children have absolutely no concept of danger."

Ms Nanasi has already had some response after last weeks article in the Times: "We’ve had some donations from very kind members of the public and some offers of toys. I’m now sending a letter to local businesses to appeal for help and someone has suggested I try applying to a BBC programme that does makeovers."

Twickenham schoolboy, Stephen Crinall, read about the school’s misfortune and his mum contacted Ms Nanasi this week to say he has decided to complete a sponsored swim to raise money for them.