A fire at a primary school in St Paul's Cray has left primary children “in tears” after their activity hut was badly damaged.

London Fire Brigade were called to Midlands Primary School in Grovelands Road at 8.17pm yesterday evening to reports of a hut alight.

Two fire engines were sent to the scene and the fire was under control by 8.38pm.

Teachers and parents are in shock after the traditional Celtic structure, which has a thatched roof, set alight.

Mrs Cafferkey, the school’s business manager, said: “One of the parents who live nearby called the fire brigade.

“The word spread quite quickly, and everybody wanted to help.

“The older ones have been really upset, they’ve been writing stories to whoever did it.

“Some of the pupils have been trying to donate their pocket money and parents have been offering different types of support."

Julie Welfare, who has a four-year-old daughter in reception at the school, has started a fundraising page to help re-build the hut.

She said: "I did it because my daughter goes to the school, she uses it, I was annoyed when I heard about it.

"I know she likes going in there, they do arts and crafts and at christmas it was the grotto.

"They need money to make it safe and try and make it more fire proof.

"If you don't ask you don't get."

To donate visit the crowdfunding page.