AN ARSON attack at the derelict Holt Farm Primary School, which has been a magnet for anti-social behaviour, has destroyed most of the building.

Forty firefighters tackled a fire at the Holt Farm Road school, which closed eight years ago, on Saturday afternoon

A West Midlands Fire Service said: "We received a 999 call at 4.07pm on Saturday afternoon, eight fire engines attended the scene.

"The fire was in the L shape derelict school building and started in the main hall and stage area and broke through into the roof.

"100 per cent of hall involved in the fire and blaze was sectorised due to its ferocity."

The fire was eventually put out at 7.49pm.

He added: "It is believed to be arson, and the police are investigating the case."

Former pupil and Halesowen North Councillor Karen Shakespeare lamented the school's demise.

She said: "Holt Farm was very dear to me as this was the school that I attended and my mum Dorothy Williams worked there for 30 years until she died in 1991.

"As the local councillor, I have constantly complained to the council over recent years, about anti social behaviour, litter and the playing fields not being cut which has made the lives of the neighbours and local residents a living misery.

"Despite reassurances by Council officers over many years that the property would/has been put on the open market for sale, nothing has progressed and the beautiful old school has been left to deteriorate and become a target for vandals."

She added: "It was very sad to see this school go up in flames, when action by the Council, which had been promised time and time again, but not materialised, could have stopped this.

"Time and time again after the closure the legal and property department at the council told us that the property was on the market but sales had fallen through and as a local councillor I worked hard to find options and interested parties for the site.

"In recent years we were told a different story which made me realise that no concrete action was being taken by this council to get the property sold."