ARSONISTS targeted a school in the early hours of yesterday.

The culprits smashed a window at Dodmire Junior School, in Rydal Road, Darlington, before throwing a bottle containing accelerant into a classroom.

Firefighters put out the blaze, which damaged the ceiling and floor of the room, just before 3am.

Books, children's displays and classroom equipment at the school were ruined by smoke.

Headteacher Bob Mellard had not told pupils yesterday but said staff were devastated.

"It was a brand new year three classroom. The member of staff whose classroom it is was very upset. She has put in a lot of effort and all the displays will now have to come down.

"We have no inkling as to why we should receive this type of behaviour."

Inspector Sue Collingwood, from Darlington police, said the blaze appeared to have been deliberately started.

She said: "The good news here is that the alarm system was very effective, meaning the fire service got there swiftly, minimising the damage.

"That said, it is still very upsetting for the school."

Officers collected forensic evidence at the scene yesterday.

Insp Collingwood said: "We are trying to identify the point of entry as there is quite a high fence around the school. We want to hear from anyone who saw or knows anything."

Dodmire Infant School, which is next door to the junior school, suffered an arson attack earlier this year.

After vandals tried to burn down a wooden building, named by pupils as the Three Bears Cottage, parents wrote to the three bears appearing with Goldilocks in this year's pantomime at the Civic Theatre.

Yesterday, the bears paid a visit to the school. "The pupils were elated," said reception teacher Paula Austin.

"We hid the bears in the cottage and the children got a lovely surprise when they came out."

Anyone with information about the latest fire is asked call police on (01325) 467681.