Boy charged in school arson probe

A primary seven classroom was destroyed in the fire

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested and is due to appear in court over an arson attack on a primary school in County Antrim.

A 15-year-old boy is being questioned about the fire which destroyed one classroom and damaged 10 others at St Louis' Primary School in Ballymena.

Extra police have been deployed in the town following a series of attacks.

Principal Liam Corey said the fire was in a classroom used by pupils about to begin 11-plus test preparations.

'Great condition'

"As everyone knows, primary sevens are immediately into a stressful period preparing for the transfer test, so that is quite unfortunate from their point of view," he said.

"The caretaker had spent all summer making sure the school was in great condition for the start of the new year.

"The teachers had been in, not just this week but last week, preparing."

The attack came just one day after nearby St Mary's Primary in the Harryville area was petrol bombed.