Firefighters were called to the Underwood West Infants and Nursery School in Crewe on Thursday at about 2030 GMT.

Nine fire engines were needed to tackle the incident which may lead to part of the building being demolished.

A joint fire and police investigation is now beginning into the cause of the fire.

Parents have been asked not to bring their children to school on Friday morning.

Ben Bellis, from Cheshire Fire Service, said the blaze had already taken hold when the emergency services arrived.

"Approximately 90% of the school is affected by heat and smoke and the other 10% is unstable and likely to be pulled down," he said.

"This has been a severe fire requiring more than 50 firefighters."