A SCHOOL nursery and learning centre have reopened after a devastating blaze 18 months ago.

Arsonists are thought to have caused the fires at Dormanstown Primary School, east Cleveland, in February last year.

Eighteen firefighters took more than an hour to control the blaze, which caused about £80,000-worth of damage.

One fire destroyed the school's nursery, causing severe smoke damage to the neighbouring Local Learning Centre, while a second, smaller fire damaged another classroom.

The blaze wrecked the nursery, in South Avenue, and all its contents, including computers, soft play equipment, dressing-up clothes and outdoor equipment, while smoke damaged the learning centre's 17 computers.

Dormanstown Primary School headteacher Anne Johnson yesterday praised the community for their efforts in rallying round following the blaze, which forced the nursery's closure and a move into a nearby classroom.

The memories of the fire were brought vividly back to life for Mrs Johnson this week, when she saw the damage caused by another arson attack, at St Peter's Catholic College of Maths and Computing, in South Bank.

She said: "When I saw the TV pictures, I could still smell ours - it brought it back so vividly. We're upbeat and delighted about today, but it just shows how long it takes to put things back in place.

"We now have a fantastic foundation stage, and our parents have been with us all the way, supporting the school. That's why I have enormous sympathy for the South Bank community and the teachers - we know what devastation and distress they are going through."

The £210,000 refurbishment programme was completed in time for the children to move into their new surroundings earlier this year and now the second phase of the recovery is complete.

The arson attack also forced the Local Learning Centre to move out of its adjoining space.

Now, after work costing £40,000, the centre will reopen on Monday, with new facilities for adult learners, including a suite with 15 computers.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Councillor George Dunning, said: "It has been a tremendous effort by many people to turn the school around after such a devastating fire.

"After the dark days of the fire, the school's future looks very bright indeed."

Redcar MP Vera Baird, who formally reopened the nursery and Local Learning Centre, said: "There is no finer investment than education - and these two marvellous facilities show that Redcar and Cleveland is determined to be a learning borough for all ages.