AN outhouse building was left gutted after a gang of yobs started a fire at a high school.

Fire crews were scrambled to Castlebrook High School in Parr Lane, Unsworth, shortly after 8.10pm last night.

They arrived to find an old storage building had gone up in flames at the back of the site.

To tackle the fire, firefighters had to cut the lock off the building.

After an hour, the fire was brought under control, but the items inside the building as well as its roof were destroyed, leaving only a shell of concrete walls.

It is thought that the youths gained access to the building from the rear before using matches or a lighter to ignite the fire.

No other buildings suffered any damage and no one was hurt.

Bury Council and Greater Manchester Police have been notified of the incident.

Tony Wellock, watch manager at Whitefield Fire Station, said: "The building was full of stuff, everything was completely destroyed apart from the concrete walls.

"It is a shame for the school that kids have gone and done this."

A spokesman for Shaw Education Trust, which runs the school, said: "Thanks to the swift actions of the local fire department, the damage was contained to the outhouse and, as the school is currently closed for Easter holidays, we are pleased to say no pupils or staff have been impacted.

"We are currently waiting for further information pertaining to the extent and cause of the damage."

The fire comes just months before the school closes its doors for the last time this summer ahead of opening its new £12 million building in September.

Along with the new building, the school will get a new name - Unsworth Academy.