A PRIMARY school earmarked as temporary accomodation while two £5million super schools are built has been attacked by vandals who caused more than £2,500 worth of damage.

Staff at Rosehill County Infants School in Creswick Close, Burnley, arrived at work to discover shattered glass from 19 broken skylights.

The school is among five to be replaced because of falling pupils numbers in the borough.

A new school to be named Rosewood Primary will replace Healey Wood Infant School and Rosehill Nursery, Infant and Junior, catering for up to 420 primary pupils and up to 52 part-time nursery children.

Children will be taught in Rosehill Nursery and in mobile classrooms on the site until the new school is completed in 2003.

Associate head teacher Diana Holden said the attack had been distressing for staff and pupils at the school.

She added: "In the end we decided to use part of the school but staff were clearing up the broken glass into the evening."

A new school will be built at a cost of £2.6million on the site of the Rosehill schools in Moorland Road and Creswick Close. It is due to open in summer 2003.

Cherry Fold Community Primary School will replace the existing Myrtle Bank Nursery and Infant Schools, Coal Clough Primary and Hargher Clough Junior.

Det Sgt Steve Mounsey said police were investigating the attack. Anyone with any information should contact Burnley Police on 01282 425001.