POLICE are appealing for information after a primary school was targeted by an arsonist during a visit by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

Firefighters tackled the blaze at Stephenson Way Infant School, Newton Aycliffe, at 3.45am yesterday.

The fire damage was restricted to a caretaker's storeroom. It is thought a wheeled bin was set on fire, and the flames spread to the building, which was badly damaged.

The incident happened on the morning before the last day of an Ofsted inspection at the school.

The teaching area was not affected and children attended lessons as usual yesterday.

Anyone with any information about the fire can call Detective Constable Christopher Brown or PC Waheed Mughal on (01325) 314401.