Fire At Manchester School

12 April 2013, 12:42 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A playground at Wythenshaw School, where the Duchess of Cambridge is due to visit later this month, has been destroyed by fire.

Damage amounting to £46,000 was caused to play equipment at The Willows Primary School in Wythenshaw on Wednesday.

No-one was injured in the blaze as three boys aged 13 were arrested on suspicion of arson, Greater Manchester Police said.

On April 23, Kate will launch a new school counselling programme which aims to reduce the impact of drug and alcohol addiction on children and their families.

Her visit was announced publicly the day before the blaze which was started between 6.10pm and 6.15pm.

Inspector Caroline Hemmingway, from Wythenshawe police station, said: “These arson attacks caused significant damage but could easily have resulted in far more serious consequences if the fire had spread to the school.

“There has been an overwhelming response from the community, local residents, students, councillors, community wardens, police officers and staff have been out in force and have between them pledged to rebuild the playground.''