Monday, 26 November 2007, 11:59 GMT
Fire forces small school to close

A blaze, which broke out at a small school on the outskirts of Dumfries, is being investigated by police.

Firefighters were called out to Holywood Primary at about 0700 GMT after a janitor spotted smoke and raised the alarm.

The flames were contained in a sports storage room but smoke filtered into other parts of the school.

A council spokesperson confirmed that the primary would remain closed until early next week.

"The store, which is attached to the main school building, has been practically burned to the ground and caused smoke damage to the rest of the school," he said.

"Council officials are currently assessing the extent of the damage, and the fire and rescue service are carrying out a separate investigation."

Holywood Primary has a school roll of about 55 pupils.