WORK is about to start on a £1.5million school which will be built on the site of one torched by youngsters last year.

Councillors today said the new Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School would be a showcase of what all schools will look like in the future.

Last May, the village school, in Bourne Row, Hoghton, was burnt to the ground after two youngsters set fire to a bin next to it.

The duo were sentenced to a two-year supervision order.

The pupils returned to the site of the school less than a month after the fire.

Since then, they have been taught in several portable classrooms as County Hall bosses worked with teachers to design a new state-of-the-art school.

County councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for education and young people, said: "I am sure that staff, pupils and the whole of the local community will be delighted that work is now starting to build their new school.

"This will be a showcase school for Lancashire, incorporating the best in design and building innovations.

"There will be seven class bases, as well as staff and office accommodation.

"The building will also have sprinklers fitted throughout which I know is very important to local people.

"The whole project will be completed by next summer, with pupils moving into the new building at the start of the school year in Autumn 2003."

Headteacher Viv Clark said: "The rebuilding of Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School will mark an exciting and significant moment in the school's history.

"It reflects the outstanding commitment and drive of the staff, pupils and parents in working together to make this moment possible.

"It also reflects the magnificent support of Lancashire County Council and the Local Education Authority during this period of upheaval.

"I am delighted and thrilled that work is about to begin on the new school and look forward to the continued success of our school in future years."

She added: "There is still a lot of anger about what happened last year. A lot of parents of pupils here attended the school themselves.

"They are no longer able to walk past and see their school.

"There is also annoyance at the sentence given, but I think that will change if people are allowed to find out what it actually means.

"The youngsters here now are excited at the prospect of seeing a new school."