A LARGE fire in the early hours of this morning has caused £20,000 worth of damage at a school in Ashford.

Firefighters spent more than two hours tackling 35ft-high flames at the Norton Knatchbull School in Hythe Road.

It is thought arsonists were behind the blaze which is believed to have started in a storage shed. This was destroyed along with two further sheds and a gym building. The main school building was not affected.

Fire crews from Ashford and Wye were called to the school at 1am police officers found soon after.

Strong winds made it difficult to tackle the blaze, but the 20 firefighters, some wearing breathing apparatus, managed to stop the flames from spreading to further buildings.

Police officers found 18 smashed windows at the back of the sheds and are now investigating.

Sub-officer Mark Thomas said: “The wind makes it 10-times worse for us, because it was so strong it fanned the flames right out.

“It’s like blowing on a fire to get it going, but it was constant so it made it fairly difficult. The crews worked well to stop it spreading to adjoining properties.”

Anyone with information should call Ashford police on 01233 619167.

FULL STORY IN NEXT WEEK’S KENTISH EXPRESS.