A shed containing specialised toys and equipment at a school for children with learning and physical difficulties in Trowbridge has been destroyed by fire.

The fire at Larkrise School in Ashton Street was reported to police at 8.20pm on Wednesday night.

The 12x14ft wooden shed at the back of the school contained items including specialised toys such as tricycles with extra handle bars and other equipment tailored to aid children’s sensor and learning skills.

At this time it is not clear how the fire started but with no electrics present in the shed it is being treated as suspicious.

House-to-house and CCTV enquiries have proved negative to date.

Acting Police Sergeant Jamie Darvill said: “The effect of this fire has been huge for the school. Each of its 85 pupils benefit from the use of the equipment lost every single day.

“The children have already had to be kept out of the area where the fire took place because of the upset it is causing and there is no doubt that the cost of replacing these items and the time it will take will have an adverse affect on their learning.

“I urge anyone who knows anything about how this happened to please contact us.

"Further still if anyone would like to or is able to assist the school get themselves set-up again they would be extremely grateful."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If people would like to contact the school about assisting them, they can email admin@larkrise.wilts.sch.uk or call 01225 761434.