YOUNGSTERS at a school hit by arson should be back together on the same site by mid-May - two months ahead of schedule.

Junior and infant pupils at Hardwick Primary School, Sedgefield, County Durham, were left without classrooms after an arson attack last month.

Since then, some pupils have been taught in Sedgefield Parish Hall, and others at Sedgefield Community College.

Although the school's nursery unit was untouched by the flames, the condition of the site has not been considered safe enough for the youngest pupils to return.

Members of Durham County Council's executive committee yesterday agreed to speed up the provision of temporary accommodation on the primary school site, so pupils can be brought back together under the same roof.

The committee agreed to negotiate with a single supplier of temporary accommodation, instead of going through a competitive tender process.

Council leader Don Robson said: "Our insurers have agreed to the move, and it will enable us to bring the school together by mid-May, instead of July.

"In the meantime, we remain extremely grateful to Sedgefield Parish Hall and Sedgefield Community College for their immediate and continuing assistance in helping the school cope with the problems caused by the fire."