POLICE are hunting for arsonists who completely destroyed a classroom at Penair School in Truro just days before the new school term started.

The portable classroom, which was used for art studies, was situated at the back of the school site on St Clement's Hill. The building was well alight when fire crews from Truro and Falmouth arrived.

Around 18 firefighters tried to put out the blaze but the classroom was reduced to a pile of rubble. A nearby classroom was also damaged during the fire and several pains of glass from a nearby greenhouse, which is used for applied science studies, shattered because of the heat.

The fire brigade were alerted to the fire at around 3.43am on Wednesday January 3 after the school's care taker spotted smoke rising from behind the school.

DC Marie Stidwell, of Truro CID, said: "We are treating this as arson. There has been considerable damage but there are not many clues at the moment."

Barbara Vann, headteacher, said: "This is a very serious fire but thankfully no-one was injured as it was during the school break. I am extremely grateful to the fire brigade for their quick response, and to caretaker Ray Wheeler for raising the alarm."

Mrs Vann also said that the county council had found a replacement building but it would take some time for it to be installed.

If anyone has any further information they should contact Truro CID and ask for DC Maria Stidwell on 08452 777444.