Pupils start new term after fire

The school had only just been refurbished when arsonists struck

Pupils at a junior school which was destroyed in an arson attack are beginning the new term in a building which was due to be knocked down.

Almost 400 pupils at Devonshire Junior School, in Layton, Blackpool, Lancashire, are being relocated to the Boundary School two miles away.

A fleet of six double-decker buses will take the pupils from the old school site to the new building each day.

Pupils in each school year will begin term on a different day to help staff cope with setting up the new school.

The fire, on 24 August, required 50 firefighters to bring under control and caused damage costing hundreds of thousands of pounds to repair.

The arson attack happened just after the school had been refurbished following a flood.

Two 12 year-old-boys questioned by police on suspicion of arson have been bailed to reappear at a police station once further evidence is obtained.

Blackpool Council said parents, staff and children had been very supportive of the arrangements which had been put in place in the week since the school burnt down.