A NORTH-EAST school which has been plagued by vandals was gutted by fire last night.

Middleton St George Primary School, near Darlington, was believed to have been damaged beyond repair when a blaze took hold in the roof at around 7.45pm.

Detectives were investigating the cause last night but said they could not rule out arson. Witnesses said four boys had been seen on the roof earlier.

The blaze broke out the day after parents attended a meeting in the school hall to discuss plans for the future education of their children in a new £3m building.

Sergeant Alex Clarke, of Darlington Police, said: "The school has suffered with a lot of vandalism and youths causing nuisance.

"On this occasion we don't know how the fire started. However, we are not ruling out arson. It has almost taken over the entire school. The blaze started in the roof area."

Scenes of crime officers are expected to examine the site today.

The Gas Board attended the fire to switch off the main supply.

Police closed off the road from Middleton St George to Middleton One Row.

Dozens of spectators including primary age children turned out to watch their school burn down.

Sgt Clarke said: "I think we can assume that school will be off tomorrow."

Tina Allenby, whose sons Luke, eight, and Matthew, seven, attend the school, said: "The hall has collapsed and the first two classrooms have also gone up. There were eight or nine fire engines there."

Her husband, Vince, said: "It's devastating news for the village because it is such a great school. I don't know how we're going to tell the boys - it's heartbreaking."