A SCHOOL which lost its sports hall in an arson attack plans to reopen a bigger and better version later this year.

A blaze ripped through Hermitage Comprehensive School's sports centre, just off Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street in November 2001.

The gym collapsed when the fire took hold, causing about £1m worth of damage. Almost all the school's sports equipment was destroyed, including trampolines, gym equipment, football and hockey nets, as well as computers and administrative equipment.

Now, proposals for a new sports hall have been submitted to Chester-le-Street District Council's planning department, which headteacher Ian Robertson said should be ready in time for the new school year. He said the school's insurance should cover the cost of most of the work.

He said the construction company that had been awarded the contract would move on site this term and the plan was to have children using the new sports hall in September.

"It's going to be bigger and better - a total replacement."

Since the fire, a limited range of PE lessons have taken place in the school hall, and temporary changing rooms have also been created.

Mr Robertson said that despite the setback, the PE department had had a successful year.

"The PE department has worked wonders. Their results over the past 12 months have been outstanding, some of the best in the country. They've secured a Sports Mark Award and the school teams and individuals have succeeded at county and regional levels," he said.

The building will go up on the site of the original sports hall and will also be available for use by the community.