The bell was taken from the front garden of King’s Oak last week and its disappearance has upset staff and pupils.

Deputy head teacher Graeme Marshall said it took a few days before they realised the bell had gone.

He said: “A member of staff had noticed it was missing but thought that work was getting done to it.

“We didn’t realised it was missing for a couple of days.

“It’s very heavy and the staff, kids, parents and grandparents are really shocked it’s been taken away.

“The bell signifies the history of the school and we’ve probably taken it for granted.

“It was cemented down and has obviously been prised off the ground and removed.” The bell was originally located in the tower of the old Hillend Primary School.

It was moved to the new Hillend Primary School in East Crawford Street, which later became Oakfield and then King’s Oak.

The bell was placed outside the building in 2004.

Mr Marshall said: “It was outside the main entrance and it was something quite unique.It is part of the history of the school community and of the east end of Greenock.” Staff believe the bell was taken last Tuesday, and the crime was reported to police on Friday.

Officers are now investigating.