THE headteacher of a school destroyed in a £2million arson attack has spoken of her hopes for the future after two teenagers were sentenced for starting the blaze.

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

Mrs Clark was praised by Judge Pamela Badley, who sentenced the youngsters at Preston Crown Court, for her professionalism after she gave the court a statement recommending the boys serve a community sentence rather than custody.

She said everyone was now looking forward to moving on and putting the blaze behind them.

The school's seven classes, accommodating 200 pupils and staff, are still being run from temporary buildings on the old school playing fields, almost a year after the blaze last May.

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

The youths, one aged 14 from Bamber Bridge, the other, a 15-year-old 15, from Hoghton, were both 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.

Julie Taylor, prosecuting, said the boys had been messing around near the school in the early hours of Saturday, May 12 when they had set fire to waste paper in a wheelie bin, which they had then left alight next to the school buildings.

The court was told they were later arrested and at first denied having any part in the disaster, though they later pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether property would be damaged.

Ben Myers and Keith Thomas, defending, said both boys had shown real remorse at what they had done.

Judge Badley said: "You destroyed a building which was the place of education for a lot of hopeful children, a place of work and a focus for the community. I am sure a number of people would like to see you locked up.

"However, the catastrophic effect was way out of proportion with this stupid prank and I hope you will build on this tragedy and become responsible adults." After the case, headteacher Vivienne Clark said: "It's time for everyone to reflect on the catastrophic effects of this fire for the 200 pupils of the school, the staff and parents.

"Although on the surface things may seem to be getting back to normal, I'm sure there will be a long-term emotional impact on many of the children. Many of them watched the school burn down before their eyes."

Mrs Clark said they were hoping to move in to the newly-built school next Easter.