Hundreds of pupils were sent home today after an arson attack gutted a classroom, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

And as a massive mopping up operation was being carried out at Miriam Lord First School, headteacher Mrs Susan Clark condemned the attack as a pointless act of vandalism.

About 360 children have been affected by the blaze and the 12- year-old school will probably stay closed for the rest of the week.

The fire was started after vandals broke a window and set paper on a window sill alight. Books, desk, carpets and other furniture were destroyed.

"It just seems malicious to have set fire to a classroom," said Mrs Clark. "The staff have worked hard to provide a good environment for the children and it has all been destroyed.

"Part of the room is completely gutted and the rest is covered in a film of dirt.

"All the displays will have to come down and everything will have to be scrubbed before we can let the children back in."

The huge classroom caters for around 120 year two children, split into four groups, who are all about to take their vital SATS exams. A quarter of it has been totally gutted and the rest is filthy and unusable from the after effects of the blaze.

Firefighters were alerted at around 1.15pm yesterday when a passer-by spotted smoke.

Sub-Officer John Henson, from Fairweather Green, said the blaze was quickly extinguished and officer were at the scene for about 90 minutes.

"Fortunately somebody had spotted the blaze before it got too bad - it could have been a lot worse."

Mrs Clark said alternative accommodation would be organised as quickly as possible to get children back into lessons.

"The sad thing is that we have always had a policy of allowing young people to play in the school grounds because we see the school as a resource for the community.''

Witnesses or people with information are asked to ring detectives on (01274) 376285.

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