Businesses have come out in support of a school after a minibus for autistic children was vandalised.

The minibus, owned by Green Wrythe Primary School, is used to ferry pupils with learning disabilities to weekly horse riding and swimming lessons.

But on Wednesday, September 15, the bus's catalytic converter was stolen, leaving staff unable to take children on their weekly visits.

After reading the story in last week's Sutton Guardian, Hackbridge MOT & Service Centre came forward with an offer to repair the minibus free of charge.

The school has also received a donation of a free Cat Clamp - a catalytic converter lock - from distributors HD&A, to prevent the thieves returning once the van has been repaired.

Nicola Sumpter, a director of HD&A, said: “When I read the story I thought it was absolutely disgusting that someone could do that to a vehicle so obviously used for disadvantaged children.

"We know thieves often come back once they know the vehicle has been repaired, so we donated a Cat Clamp to give the school some peace of mind.”

The school has confirmed the repair of the van has been dealt with under its insurance policy but money is still needed for the future running costs of the service.

Anne Claxton, who runs the Rainbow Unit at the school - which is dedicated to children with autism - said: “I think it is just lovely that we have had these offers of help.

“The running costs of the bus are a lot so if anyone wanted to help it would be great.

“We didn't do the article for that reason though, but to let other schools know what was going on.”

The minibus is dedicated to the memory of Adam Johnston, an industrial plumber from Sutton who was killed by a gas blast in November 2008, aged 38. It was bought with £10,000 raised in Mr Johnston's memory.

His widow, Michelle Johnston, has set up a Facebook page - Adam Johnston's Memorial Minibus - to raise money for the future running costs of the service.