A HEADTEACHER has been left devastated once more after witnessing the school she has worked at for 14 years hit by fire for the second time.

Gaynor Dickson dashed to Runcorn's Halton Lodge Primary late on Monday - after an anxious parent rang to tell her the school was engulfed in flames and a pall of black smoke was billowing from the building.

By the time she arrived, the deliberately started fire was at its peak, and crowds had gathered to watch the blaze.

The inferno broke out at about 7pm, but was still raging five hours later.

It took a team of 50 firefighters to bring the rapidly spreading 50ft flames under control.

Firefighters had to leave the building at one point as the front wall collapsed.

The cost of restoring the building is estimated at £1m.

But Mrs Dickson said one of the saddest things to come to terms with is the cancellation of the Christmas nativity play - which was due to be performed by infants the night after the fire.

This is the second fire to hit Halton Lodge in seven years, and fire investigators have concluded the cause was arson.

The school has also fallen foul of numerous vandal attacks in the past.

Mrs Dickson said: 'It's all a bit of a blur at the moment and I don't quite know what to do.

'I got a phone call out at 7pm and rushed out after putting a call in to the deputy and chairman of governors, Trevor Higginson.

'I feel devastated for the children and the staff, especially as we were getting ready for Christmas and busy decorating the school.

'To see it burnt to the ground is just awful.

'Christmas presents, nativity costumes and personal items owned by staff have all been destroyed.'

She added: 'I'm just grateful no one was harmed as this could have happened on the night of the nativity.

'But all the governors and parents have been very supportive, and the Cherry Tree pub is allowing us to hold our Christmas party there on Friday.'

Firefighters battled the blaze using eight fire engines.

The fire, which was still smouldering the following day, spread at such a rate due to the timber construction of the building.

Mum Catherine Leonard said her nine-year-old daughter was frightened people were still trapped in the building.

She said: 'She was just very upset to watch it and was worried her teacher might still be in the school.

'It's affecting everyone, and we saw teachers crying outside when it happened.'

After a meeting held by the Local Education Authority, contingency plans are in place to house the schoolchildren in mobile classrooms while the school is being rebuilt.

Police are urging anyone with information to call DC Jason Hill on 01244 614917, or Crimestoppers in complete confidence on 0800 555 111.