PUPILS of Middleton St. George Primary School, which was partly destroyed by fire, returned to the classrooms on Monday in a temporary home.

Two classrooms and the roof were destroyed by fire on February 26 but 248 pupils were back behind desks this week at the vacated Firthmoor Primary School.

Parents, grandparents, teachers and council staff packed up dozens of boxes with artwork, books and other equipment, including the school sign.

Even Shiny the goldfish, who was rescued by firefighters, was packed up and taken to his new classroom.

Buses will collect the children and teachers from Middleton St. George every morning so parents do not have to worry about getting into Darlington.

The former Firthmoor school was boarded up last month when pupils left for their new school across the road.

A number of repairs had to be done to floors, ceilings and doors.

Acting headteacher Janice Gleeson said: "It was lovely to see the children again and a few of the teachers shed some tears. We are a school who laugh together and cry together and there has been a lot of both in recent days."

Darlington Borough Council is working with loss adjusters to see how much of the school can be salvaged.

Water and fire damaged ceilings and dangerous brickwork has already been removed.

It is estimated that about half of the school can be saved.

Forensics teams believe the fire was started when newspapers were stuffed under the eaves of the roof and set alight.

Four temporary classrooms will be installed as a short-term measure and by Easter all pupils are expected to be back.

There was a special assembly on Monday to mark the children's arrival at Firthmoor.

A council spokeswoman said: "The assembly centred on team work and how the school felt they were where they are today thanks to the whole village working together.

"The head told the children that it was people who make a school not bricks and mortar."

* Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson. The boys, from Middleton St. George, were arrested on Friday night and have been released on police bail until March 24.