DARWEN Moorland High School will open on time for the first day of term - despite an arson attack which caused more than £250,000 of damage.

Headteacher Chris Morris today praised staff who had spent the seven-week summer break cleaning and re-decorating the building so the school could re-open tomorrow.

The Holden Fold School was forced to close early for summer after a fire was started close to the stage in the main hall.

Smoke spread throughout the block damaging staff rooms, the dining room, kitchens, a classroom and corridors.

At the time, firefighters urged the school to install sprinklers which they claimed would have stopped the fire spreading.

But today it can be revealed that Moorland bosses have not considered the costly investment because the school is due to close in 2008 and be replaced by the Darwen Academy.

However, the alarm system has instead been upgraded.

Mr Morris said the first three weeks of the holidays were used to clean the rooms and the rest of the time had been spent re-decorating and replacing damaged stock.

The hall will remain cordoned off for further work to be carried out on the support girders which is expected to be completed by Christmas.

Mr Morris said the sports halls and larger rooms would be used for assemblies until then.

He added: "The staff have been fantastic. Thanks to them we have managed to get ready in time.

"There was some extreme cleaning and have then had to replace floors, lights and re-paint walls and ceilings.

"I'm delighted we have managed to do it. This year will still be one of the school's best. This has not stopped us."

A police investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.