TWO teenage boys have been accused of starting a fire which caused over £1million worth of damage to a high school.

Police investigating the fire at Darwen Moorland High School last July have charged a 15-year-old pupil and a 17-year-old former pupil, with arson.

The boys from Darwen were arrested on August 14 and will appear before Blackburn Youth Court on Thursday (aug 30). A 16-year-old boy also arrested in connection with the blaze has been released without charge.

Insp Mark Thackery-Scott of Darwen police said: "Following an extensive investigation by police in Darwen, two people have now been arrested and charged in connection with the fire which happened at Darwen Moorland High School last July.

"Whilst it has been over a year since the incident happened, this demonstrates that police will always continue with their investigations and will leave no stone unturned when conducting their enquiries."

The blaze was lit near the stage in the main hall and ripped through the school on July 14, 2006 damaging staff rooms, the dining room, kitchens, a classroom and corridors.

The Holden Fold high school had to shut early for the summer holidays and staff spent their break cleaning up to prepare the school for the first day of the new September term.

Bob Simpson, chair of the governors, said: "The alleged actions of these young people ruined the last day at school for 200 pupils. They were unable to share the laughter, the joy, the tears, on the last day of their scholastic career.

"That is something which has been lost and will never be available to these young people, so apart from the structural damage, the damage to these young people was immeasurable."

After the fire the school hall could not be used until March this year - more than £500,000 was spent on refurbishments, which included a new sound system, refurbished stage and lighting rig.

Head teacher Chris Morris said: "I'm pleased that after 13 months the police have managed to bring charges and we'll let justice take its course. The unanswered question was who was responsible for it and now it looks like that question will be answered in the next few months.

"It's been extremely hard without the hall but the staff and students coped with the building on the site but you just work around people and we are very happy. We have got a school to be proud of."