More than 100 firefighters were sent to Wheldon Comprehensive in Carlton on the outskirts of Nottingham late on Monday afternoon.

Witnesses said flames could been seen 50 feet above school buildings.

Police closed roads in the area while Nottinghamshire County Council said the school would be closed on Tuesday.

'Glow of flames'

The school's three-storey main block, including the library, were engulfed in flames.

Local resident Nick Pearce said: "There were flames all over the place and the school is probably 100 metres long and it is just a glow of flames."

The school is not expected to reopen until after the Christmas break.

Firefighters will be at the school all night damping down before an investigation into how the fire started can get under way.