HUNDREDS of pupils sent home early from a Leigh high school after a fire broke out in the science block are expected to be back behind their desks on Monday.

Anxious staff led the pupils to safety as Westleigh High school was evacuated and a roll call was held but fortunately nobody was injured in the blaze.

Fire crews from Leigh and Atherton stations spent several hours damping down at the scene and were praised by school head John Pout for their prompt action. He said: "They were here quickly and had put out the blaze within 20 minutes of arriving. Ironically the old science buildings will soon be taken out of commission and our new science block is due to open in a few weeks."

Fire investigators sifted through the debris. It is thought the cause of the blaze was accidental.

Pupils will be back in school as usual on Monday morning.