The school was targeted by arsonists in 2000

Council bosses have agreed to provide �2.2m to build a new dining hall at Lytchett Minster School in Dorset.

The spend will add to the �8.8m already allocated to the much-needed development of the 1,200-strong school. Pupils have been taught in temporary classrooms since the arson in 2000. The school's revamp was delayed when a rare protected tree was found at the site.

'Coffers cleared'

The first phase of the planned rebuild will see the removal of the mobile classrooms and the conversion of the land to playing fields.

Angus Campbell, Dorset County Council's cabinet member for education, said: "The new dining and kitchen facilities, costed at �2.2 million, are clearly important for a school of this size and the cabinet has agreed that this is a priority.

"We owe it to the pupils and the staff at Lytchett to move ahead as quickly as possible.

"But the point must also be made that the county council has cleared its coffers to be able to support Lytchett Minster and this commitment leaves us without any flexibility in the capital budget."