A rescue centre in Cookham has been left a "huge mess" after it was broken into overnight.

Cookham Rescue Centre - formerly known as Cookham Zoo or Wildway Wildlife Mini Zoo - was reportedly broken into on the night of Wednesday, April 25.

Posting to the village's public noticeboard Connor Clegg wrote: "Very disappointed that some local children have broken into our property, damaged our toilet facilities and left a huge mess.

"We don’t have the resources to fix this sort of vandalism.

"You have burst the water pipe, broken the door and lock and left some of our equipment from the zoo shoved down the toilets, you have also taken paper towels and shoved them all down the sink causing other problems"

The owners of the rescue centre were refused zoo status and planning permission in March.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council's decision notice read: "No very special circumstances have been demonstrated that would outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, which is afforded substantial weight."

Planners also said that installing metal containers, fencing and hard surfacing for the zoo would be ‘alien’ to and at odds with the surrounding open farmland.

Other reasons for refusal included noise and parking concerns and a lack of ‘enhancements’ to biodiversity.

Since the decision, the owners have begun to focus their business on "rescuing exotic animals and endangered species breeding programs" - closing to the public.

After the break-in, Mr Clegg has asked local parents to speak to their children.

He added: "If these are your children I think you need to have some serious conversations.

"I would be absolutely disgusted and ashamed.

"This isn’t the first time they have come up here causing trouble, please make it the last.

"We know the children on the estate behind the rescue centre come down looking to cause trouble because they are bored, please sign them up for a club or something more productive."

Cookham Zoo declined to comment further.

Thames Valley Police have been approached for comment.