Fire-hit Willingsworth High School to be demolished

Demolition work at a fire-ravaged former school in Tipton was due to get under way today - months before it was meant to start.

Parts of the old Willingsworth High School, on the site of the new £35 million RSA Academy in Bilston Road, were destroyed in an arson attack.

Construction firm Willmott Dixon, in charge of the works, was due to start pulling the former school down today after it was ruled structurally unsafe by fire investigators following the severe blaze.

Company spokesman Andrew Geldard said: "The demolition of the buildings is due to finish by the end of next month."

Fifteen crews were called out to the fire just before 7pm on Monday, hours before Wilkinson Primary School, in Bradley, Bilston, was destroyed in an inferno.

Police said they were keeping an open mind about whether the two arson attacks were linked.

The RSA Academy was created to replace the old Willingsworth High School with new facilities opening last month.

Business manager at the RSA Academy, Lesley James, said today: "The plans to demolish the building are being brought forward.

"It was due to be demolished in the next couple of months but it will now come down as soon as possible because of the fire."