A THREE-metre high security fence is to be constructed around a school which was burned to the ground by arsonists last year.

Just days after the first anniversary of the multi-million pound blaze at Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School, Hoghton, county councillors approved plans for a new school complex.

Pupils at the school had been working inside a network of portable cabins.

Members of Lancashire County Council's development control committee granted permission for a new brick building yesterday morning.

Permission was also given for a three-metre high security fence to be built around the perimeter of the Bournes Row school.

Two boys, aged 14 and 15, have been convicted for the fire, which they started in a wheelie bin next to the school in the early hours of May 12 last year.

Defence barristers said the youngsters had not foreseen the spread of the fire.

Work will start on the project, costing £2million, later this month.

Borough council bosses in Chorley had expressed concerns about the height of the fence.

But a spokesman for the county council said: "The height of the fence has been deemed necessary to address the opportunity for vandalism.

"It will be painted dark green so not to be an eyesore."

When plans for the new school were unveiled, headteacher Viv Clark said: "This building will be state-of-the-art.

"The plans have been very exciting and it will be good to have a new school."