Local people have rallied around a village preschool after it had thousands of pounds stolen.

Sarah Hill set up a Go Fund Me page to try and raise £1,800 after thousands of pounds were stolen by an ex-employee last year.

The money will be used to make the new outdoor storage shed possible, along with the replanting of the willow hideout.

The page has currently raised £815 through 28 donations from local people of between £5 and £100.

Sarah said that despite not having any children or grandchildren at the preschool, the group was very important to her. She said: “Many years ago this little Preschool was at the village hall, I turned up with my three year old daughter and made life-long friends.

“Keeping these facilities in a small village is vital, not only to children but to parents that will see their children grow and flourish into wonderful adults.

“It all starts at the preschool and over the years I, like many people, have chaired the PTA at the school, and fundraised thousands for the preschool and school. As have so many local people.

“So thank you Loddiswell Preschool.”

Emma Sampson left a comment with her donation. She said: “Heartbroken with what’s happened, we all worked so hard to fundraise - many parents did over many years. Pre-school has continued to be a massive part of my life.

“We will hold our heads high knowing how well supported the village has been and how well all involved have handled it! Well done girls xx.”

Karen and John Oldrieve added: “Good luck with the fundraising, so sorry this has happened in our village.”

If you would like to donate, click the link: www.gofundme.com/loddiswell-preschool ***

Helen Woodgate, 40, admitted stealing £15,500 from Loddiswell Preschool over six months, between February 12, 2016, and August 31, 2017, at a previous hearing at Plymouth Crown Court.

Her barrister, Peter Segan, told the court she had indicated her decision to plead guilty at Plymouth Magistrates Court, that she was a person of previous good character and said she had "never behaved this way before, and will never behave the same way again".

He said Loddiswell was a small place, that she had committed an "offence to the local community" and her life after her actions became public knowledge had been "uncomfortable" and "at times unpleasant".

He told the court that Woodgate was a "single mother to two children", aged eight and 16 months.

Mr Segan said that when she discovered she was pregnant with her youngest child, she stopped taking medication for anxiety and depression, on doctor’s orders. He explained she had stopped taking it immediately, which can result in "physical and mental side-effects", and created the "background" to her offences.

He said she felt the need to move to a larger property with a new baby on the way and the expenses for the larger property, along with caring for two children, "led to the offences".

He said she had been "in a position of trust" at the preschool and "if allowed her liberty, would be looking for work and looking to pay back the money she stole".

He said Woodgate had been offered a place of employment but publicity surrounding the court case had meant the employer had terminated the offer.

He said she had showed remorse for her crimes and planned to "get a job, pay back the money, and look after her children".

As the judge gave his verdict, Woodgate cried in the dock. He described her crimes as "a disgraceful theft from a small community group", which amounted to a "breach of trust".

He said: "You managed to get away with it for so long because you presented yourself as a respectable and responsible person, which you had been for much of your life", but that she had "allowed her standards to slip".

He said the crime was "made worse by the fact you stole from a small community, money that other people could barely afford, money that was supposed to go to help the children, but instead lined your pocket".

He said she hadn’t used the money to fund a "lavish lifestyle" but because she had "financial issues and a small family".

He sentenced Woodgate to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, 20 days of rehabilitation activities, 60 hours of unpaid work in the community, to be completed within a year, and ordered her to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

He added: "In your current position you are unable to pay back the money you stole. I am only able to make a compensation order if you have the ability to pay."