Hundreds of children in Staffordshire are being asked to help police trace the arsonists who destroyed their school.

More than 30 classrooms and an adult learning centre at the Chase Terrace High School in Cannock were destroyed in an arson attack in August.

The police have had four separate reports of youngsters being seen around the school on the night of the fire.

On Monday, pupils returned to the school for the start of the new term.

'Pupils upset'

Police officers spoke to 500 of them about the fire and will return again on Tuesday.

They have urged pupils who do not want to speak to the police, to speak to a teacher instead.

Detective Inspector Selwyn Burton said: "I have been to the school and seen the pupils, seen how upset they are that their school has been destroyed in this way.

"I have seen how upset the staff are. I believe everyone is very, very keen to help us solve this crime."

For the next two years, the 1,300 pupils at the school will be taught in a village of mobile classrooms at a cost of �2m to the council.

Two 16-year-olds have been questioned and released on bail in connection with the fire.