IT WAS a iconic gift given to a Southampton school in memory of a pupil.

But now vandals have demolished the minibus donated to the youngsters at Cedar School.

Not only was the minibus vital to the school but it also has significant importance as it was one of the final vehicles ever to come off the production line at the city’s Ford plant before it closed down in July 2013.

The bus was donated to the Cedar School in 2013 in memory of pupil Alan Linton, who died 20 years ago, of Duchenes muscular dystrophy.

Alan’s dad Pete is a school governor who also worked on the Ford production lines.

Now, following the vandalism attack, a decision will have to made on whether the minibus can be repaired or if it has to be scrapped.

The bus is used throughout the week by the school’s pupils, many of whom have complex physical difficulties and special educational needs, for trips and holiday clubs.

The damage was spotted when caretaker Susan Carter arrived at the school gates yesterday morning. She noticed the padlocks had gone and that the van was damaged.

Thieves had removed the bonnet, two front doors, the two front seats, the grill and even the interior light bulbs and oil cap. They had also smashed one of the left hand windows.

Head teacher Jonathan Howells said: “It looks like they’ve taken the parts to use on their own bus.

“It just demonstrates the mindset of people.

“The police were very understanding but they have said there is nothing they can do because the thieves would have been gloved up and there’s no evidence.

“It’s a multi use vehicle and will have lots of different fingerprints already on it.”

He added: “We’ve had to borrow a bus from our neighbours at Oasis Academy because we’ve got a bus load of kids going to Winchester on a science trip today.

“It was half term last week so it was probably very well planned.”

The bus, an unadapted conventional transit van, is used by able-bodied children at the school for trips and holiday clubs.

The school have reported the damage to Hampshire Constabulary.

Witnesses should contact police on 101.