A lorry crashed into a school, causing damage to a gate and pillar, before allegedly driving off.

The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester had their pillar knocked over and their gate dragged into the road after a lorry reportedly reversed into the gates of the school's exit on Monday, July 4.

Staff reported that in the early afternoon a large tarmac laying lorry crashed into their school gate post, knocking over the pillar, and with the gate attached to the back of the lorry - dragged it into the road.

The lorry was said to have driven about 200 metres away with the gate attached to the vehicle before the driver was seen to stop, get out, pull the gate off of the back of the lorry, throw it into the middle of the road and drive away.

Headteacher of the school, Gary Spracklen, said they believed that it was a lorry which was laying tarmac nearby.

Mr Spracklen said: "It happened in the early afternoon as children were outside in the reception area. They could not witness it from there, but staff saw it."

He said marks were left in the tarmac in the road where the gate was dragged away.

Mr Spracklen added: "It's very surprising.

"We had builders out this morning who said we need to completely rebuild it and have a new gate installed.

"It will likely be a significant cost for the works which should really be paid from their (the driver's) insurance.

"We would like to appeal to any witnesses to please get in touch with the police."

Member of staff, Jules Troughton, said she hard an 'almighty noise' and witnessed the lorry reverse, hit the gate and drive away.

Mrs Troughton said: "We know accidents happen but there was total disregard in the way they ran off from the scene."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said they received a report at 2.24pm on Monday, July 4, that a large tarmac lorry turned around at Prince of Wales School on Maiden Castle Road in Dorchester, hit the pillars and gate, and drove off with the gate attached. Enquiries into the incident are said to be ongoing.