ANDOVER'S Winton Community Academy will be closed on Friday following a fire at the school at 11am today.

County Councillor for Andover South division Tony Hooke, said: "I am extremely impressed how quickly the two fire appliances reached the scene from the Andover station - and from Wiltshire.

"The staff at the school did very well to get the pupils out safely."

He said the fire appeared to have started close to where work was being done near a roof.

"I will be interested to see the risk assessment," added the councillor.

"The damage looks worse than it probably is.

"Everything looks okay apart from the sports hall which will need a new roof."

A decision about opening on Monday will be made on Friday.