Determined staff and children at a Basildon school, which was almost destroyed by an arson attack just before Christmas, have not let it spoil their fun.

In fact, leaders at Barstable School, in Timberlog Close, were so intent the show must go on the children have been performing their Christmas pantomime - two months late.

The school was forced to temporarily close after the arson attack last year which ruined a new £2m science block.

However, staff and children remained up-beat and did not let all of their rehearsing for a school pantomime go to waste.

Now everyone is back in school, the children have re-rehearsed and delighted both staff and parents with two packed house performances of Aladdin.

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002