A SCHOOL has been left with a £1,000 bill after a mystery fire destroyed a wooden fort.

The toy fort had been in the grounds of Wolsingham Primary School for three years and was popular with the school’s nursery children.

But on Saturday morning (January 12) it was completely destroyed by a fire.

And to make matters worse, it was not covered by the school’s insurance.

Business manager Ken Etherington said: “It is a direct loss to the school both financially and for the children.

“The children were devastated to see it destroyed, it was very popular.”

Mr Etherington said CCTV footage shows three youths in the school grounds shortly before the blaze broke out.

A neighbour spotted the fort fire at about 11am and police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Mr Etherington said: “We have had some minor issues with vandalism in recent weeks but nothing like this.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators on 101.