WORK will start todayon a £1.5 million new school in Hoghton after arsonists destroyed the old classrooms.

Brindle Gregson Lane Primary headteacher Viv Clark and County Coun Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for education and young people, will officially launch the building project.

The school is being rebuilt after an arson attack at Easter last year.

Two teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted starting a blaze in a wheelie bin left near the school buildings as part of a game. But they denied targeting the school.

They were sentenced to a two-year supervision and reparation order to enable them to do work to make up for their crime.

They were told they would have gone to jail had they been older.

The project, which will include seven new classes and staff and office accommodation, will be completed by next summer, with pupils moving in for the start of the 2003-04 school year.

Coun Whittaker said: "Brindle Gregson Lane will be a showcase school for Lancashire, incorporating the best in

design and building innovations."

Mrs Clark said the effects of the fire had been catastrophic, not only for the 200 pupils at Brindle Gregson Lane but also for their parents, teachers and the community.