A YOUNGSTER accused of arson at a school yesterday told a court how his lighter was used to start a fire.

The teenager, who cannot be named, is accused of setting fire to West Park Primary School, in Hartlepool, in October last year. He denies the charge.

A co-accused in the case, another teenage boy, has already admitted a charge of arson.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday how the boy and his co-accused had gone to the school after 7pm.

He said he had given his lighter to his co-accused while they were in a hut at the school, and the other young man decided to make a "make-shift torch" from a piece of paper, as it was dark inside.

The youngster said he also made a torch and stood in the shed for about a minute and then went outside for a cigarette. He said the "wind blew the torch out" and when he dropped it to the ground it was "slightly glowing red" so he stamped on it.

He told the court that the other boy was still inside the building, and when he went back in he found a small fire which they believed they had put out.

Later, they saw fire engines and concocted a story that they were near the building and saw smoke, but knew nothing of the fire, the court heard.

The court heard that police officers later spoke to the teenager about the incident.

The teenager told the court: "I started to cry and said I knew some stuff about it. I said my lighter was used, but I never lit it."

The trial continues.