A TEENAGER stood accused of arson at a North-East school at Teesside Crown Court today.

The youngster, who cannot be named, is accused of setting a fire at West Park Primary School in Hartlepool on October 26 last year.

Another teenager, who also cannot be named, is co-accused of the crime, and has already admitted the charge of arson, the court heard.

The court heard how a group of young men had met at around 7pm in the town, before three of them made their way to a "hut" at the school, where the intention, the court was told, was for them to share a cigarette.

The third young man gave evidence to the jury and said he had heard the other two boys "rummaging" around in the hut before they came out.

Then, he told the court, he saw smoke and all three ran off.

The court heard how the three then "made up" a story of how they had been walking past the school and saw the smoke.

The charge of arson is denied by the first youngster, and the trial continues.