PARENTS at a school hit by a £100,000 arson attack have launched a fundraising drive to replace treasured toys and possessions lost in the blaze.

Fire swept through the nursery section at Longfields Primary School in Bicester on Wednesday night, destroying the roof, while three classrooms were left smoke-damaged and waterlogged.

Police believe it was arson and two teenagers have been released on police bail while inquiries continue.

Oxfordshire County Council will be repairing the building, but parents at the school are lobbying businesses for donations and holding a coffee morning later this week.

The school was shut on Thursday, but most of the children were able to return to class on Friday.

Mum-of-four Lisa Reilly, 28, of Bernwood Road, is organising a coffee morning on Thursday to raise money for new toys and equipment.

She said: "My youngest daughter is in the nursery. It's devastated me and it's devastated her."

Miss Reilly said a group of mums had rung dozens of local businesses asking for donations for a raffle and were busy baking cakes to sell.

The coffee morning will be on Thursday, at the Methodist Church Hall in Sheep Street, Bicester, from 10am to 1pm.

On Friday, the children were shown the fire damage.

Deputy headteacher Claire Rughoobeer said: "A few have been a bit upset. I think it's understanding that someone would deliberately set fire to something they are finding difficult to understand."

Those in the nursery school are not due to go back until next Monday.

Anyone with information should call Det Con Nikki Smith at Bicester CID on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.