A Consett school has been hit by a suspected arson attack.
Emergency services were called around 5.30pm on June 4 after receive reports of a blaze at Consett Junior School on Beechdale Road.
A wooden outhouse, which was built after the school won a community grant and was intended for use as a library, was destroyed in the fire.
The school has remained open to provide daycare for the children of key workers but no one was hurt in the incident.
Durham Constabulary is investigating the fire on the basis it seems to have been started deliberately.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Police were called to reports of a fire at Beechdale School in Consett at around 5.30pm last night (June 4).
"It is believed the suspect(s) set fire to the schools timber summerhouse and made off prior to the arrival of our colleagues at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue service."
A statement posted on the school's website reads: "It is with great sadness and anger that we inform you of a fire that we had on our school grounds last night, which resulted in the school’s outdoor summer house being burnt to the ground. The fire brigade were called at 5pm by a parent who lives nearby.
"The team worked for over an hour putting out the fire and then making the site safe enough for children to continue attending.
The statement continues: "As a school who put our hearts into the local community and families, we are left devastated by this thoughtless and disgusting attack. With all the uncertainty and sadness we are facing in the world right now, this act is utterly shameful.
"We are obviously relieved that no-one was hurt in the fire and our children were not present to see it."
Police say anyone with any information should call 101 quoting incident number 315 of June 4.
