PART of Verdin High School, Winsford, was closed on Thursday after arsonists started a fire in a shower and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The school’s fire alarms were activated shortly after 4pm on Wednesday. Firefighters spent almost three hours battling the blaze and securing the school after the flames “gutted” the boys’ changing room and damaged the adjacent sports hall and technology block.

Paul Harrington, headteacher at the Verdin site, said the cost of the damage could be as much as £20,000. Year 9 got an extra day off on Thursday as a third of classrooms were out of action.

But Mr Harrington said teachers and a few lingering students evacuated the building, and everything was back to normal the next day.

“I’d like to reassure students and their parents this is a one-off,” he said. “There was minimal disruption to the pupils’ learning and everyone was back in on Friday.

“Members of staff acted quickly and in the correct manner, I was very impressed. It could have been a lot worse - thankfully no one was injured.”

Det Sgt Paul Mason, of Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “It’s malicious ignition. We believe someone has piled up a load of clothing items in one of the shower blocks and set fire to it.”

Detectives are studying CCTV footage and are asking anyone with information to call 0845 4580000.