INFANTS and juniors were sent home after a blazing car destroyed a classroom and caused £30,000 damage at a Leigh school.

The blaze started when a car careered into a classroom at X11 Apostles School off Nel Pan Lane, Westleigh.

An Education Authority spokesman told The Journal the car collided with a classroom window then reversed into another where it became embedded.

The car set on fire destroying the class room and causing smoke damage to the rest of the school which has 228 children on its register.

Surveying the damage after children were excused lessons the morning after the blaze, head teacher Mike Farrimond said:"My main feeling is one of shock, followed by anger and dismay.

"If the alarm system had not been fitted 12 months ago and linked to Central Watch the whole building could have been destroyed."

Director of Education Bob Clark said:"Even though the cost of repairs will be largely paid for by insurance the LEA will still have to find part of the cost and spend money that should be earmarked for children's education.

"However the effect of this disruption on what should be a safe, loving community and the damage to the morale of teachers and children goes way beyond any physical damage.

"I do urge our communities to work with us and the police on helping us to stop this kind of thing from happening in the future. In the meantime I can assure pupils, staff and parents of X11 Apostles we will offer whatever assistance we can t help them through this difficult time."

Infants returned to school on Monday and juniors on Tuesday of this week.

A MAN has appeared before Leigh magistrates facing two charges of arson.

Keith William Alexandra Jones, aged 20, of no fixed abode, allegedly caused £30,000 worth of damage to X11 Apostles School and £1,500 damage to a stolen car. A 15 year-old boy is alleged along with Jones to have used the car without insurance and the boy is also charged with aggravated vehicle taking. They were remanded in custody for a week.

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