A WATFORD primary school has held its first summer fete since it was almost completely destroyed by a fire three years ago.

Ninety per cent of Knutsford Primary School in Knutsford Avenue was consumed by an electrical fire in November 1999.

Although it took 24 months to complete the new building, just four days after the accident, teachers were welcoming pupils back through its gates.

To celebrate the first fair at the site since the fire, the school invited Garston fire station commander Mr Martin Dawe to open the fair with acting headteacher Mr Kevin Sullivan on Saturday.

Mr Dawe said: "They invited me along to the opening ceremony of the school and then asked me to open the fete, which I was very pleased to do and very honoured to do and I just hope that's the only time I have to go into the school."

Acting deputy head Mrs Athena Redwood said the fair was an important occasion in the school's calendar for teachers, pupils and parents.

She said: "I think that people were just enthusiastic to support us."

Despite having to compete with an England versus Denmark football match, Mrs Redwood added: "We had people queuing when we started and a steady stream of people right through to the end of the afternoon."

Television sets were placed in the grounds for visitors to watch the event. For those less interested in the football, there was a bouncy castle, cake stalls and a barbecue.

The fair, organised by the PTA, raised more than £2,000 for school funds. It has not yet been decided what to spend the money on.

June 19, 2002 17:00