Pupil therapy stopped after bus arson

Buses destroyed in arson attack removed from school

Pupils at a special needs school have had important therapy sessions cancelled after seven mini-buses were destroyed in an arson attack.

Teachers at St Christopher's in Wrexham have been forced to abandon rehabilitation appointments and day trips following the attack on Sunday evening.

Terry Garner: Seeking a permanent transport arrangement

But education bosses for the school have found temporary transport for the pupils despite facing problems finding mini-buses fitted with wheelchair lifts.

Terry Garner, from Wrexham Education Authority, said that arrangements for a longer term solutions were being made.

"I think the first message is one of reassurance," said Mr Garner.

"We want to make sure and we are making sure that the youngsters do not suffer as a result of this particular act.

"We are marshalling all the resources we have got," he added.

Replacement buses with wheelchair lifts wanted

"We have managed to get replacement mini-buses on a short-term basis.

"It was particularly difficult to get those with lift facilities that are required but we have managed to do that.

"We are working on the longer term arrangements to make sure we get permanent replacements," he added.

The school has more than 200 children - many of whom are mentally and physically disabled - from the ages of six to 19.

As well as transporting pupils to school, the buses are used for other activities for swimming lessons, horse riding lessons and therapy.

Teacher appeal

Staff at the school are appealing to organisations who use wheelchair friendly buses to provide the use of the vehicles until a permanent solution is found.

Three of the school's fleet of buses escaped the fire - one of them was off the site at the time.

All seven mini-buses destroyed in the blaze have been removed from the site. They had all been bought using donations and fundraising activity money.

Investigations by the police to find out who carried out the attack on the school continues.