THE governors of a school hit by a devastating fire last month has thanked people who rallied round to help.

Thousands have been raised for St Joseph’s Primary School which was hit by the fire in the early hours of January 25.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire Service were called to the school at 1.45am that morning and used water jets and compressed air foam to extinguish the fire which led to one part of the building - the building closest to the Westacre Middle School - being heavily damaged.

Duncan Kennedy, chair of governors, has written an open letter which says: "Following the devastating fire at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School resulting in the destruction of our pre-school, reception and year 1 classes along with significant smoke damage to the remainder of the school.

"I am writing on behalf of the school community to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the messages of support, offers of help, donations, fundraising and assistance we have received from the community of Droitwich Spa and its surrounding areas.

READ MORE: Thousands raised for fire hit school

"It is impossible for me to list everyone in this letter as there are too many people to thank and I would not want to inadvertently leave anyone out.

"As a school we have been humbled and overwhelmed by the support we have received, especially when you consider the challenges everyone has been facing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"At a recent governing body meeting there was universal agreement that we should do something to say thank you and as chair of governors the task of writing an open letter was assigned to me.

"So, without further ado thank you. I would be incredibly grateful if this letter could be shared far and wide to ensure as many people as possible receive our thanks."

After the fire the headteacher of the St Joseph’s Close-based school, Cath Bryan, described the blaze as ‘devastating’ but said she was ‘thankful no-one was hurt.’

The school has been preparing to reopen to pupils today as lockdown as eased, and a note on the schools' website said "Please remember a school is a place where memories are made and these cannot burn in a fire."