FIREFIGHTERS prevented a Winchester school from going up in flames early this morning following a blaze already described as suspicious by Hampshire fire chiefs.

The blaze, in a temporary classroom at the Henry Beaufort School in Harestock, started shortly after 4.20am when a lit broomhead was thrown through the classroom's window.

Smoke from the fire triggered the school's automatic fire alarms and emergency services were at the scene before the flames were able to take hold.

A spokesman for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said that at the moment the cause of the blaze can only be described as doubtful, though a full investigation is under way.

Hampshire police will also be attending the scene later today to assist in the investigation.