A TEENAGER has admitted setting fire to a mobile classroom at a special school causing £60,000 damage.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke into the Orchard School in Wincheap on Thursday to burgle it.

Canterbury Youth Court heard that he set fire to the classroom in an effort to destroy forensic evidence. Damage is estimated to be between £50,000 and £60,000.

The youth admitted arson and burglary. Jim Harvey, prosecuting, said police had become aware of the crimes when they saw the youth pulling a wheelie bin along Nunnery Fields at 10pm on the night in question.

Officers found a computer inside it and identified it as belonging to the Orchard School.

The building was gutted and its contents destroyed during the blaze. Firefighters spent 45 minutes dealing with the blaze and children were given the next day off school.

The youth was released on conditional bail and will be sentenced on June 5.

Another 17-year-old has been charged with burglary and arson. He did not enter pleas when he appeared at court on Tuesday and is due back before magistrates on May 29.