CHILDREN at arson-hit Brownlow Fold Primary School will miss their annual Nativity Play this year.

The school hall is still out of bounds after being badly damaged in a blaze in September.

And it means that many of the planned festive activities -- including Christmas dinner -- have had to be cancelled.

Teachers are working overtime to keep things as normal as possible for the children.

Headteacher Ron Hesford said: "It's such a shame we cannot celebrate Christmas in the way we would have wanted.

"But we will not be deterred and we're constantly thinking of ways to make Christmas doubly special for the children."

Fire ravaged the school hall and kitchen, which has meant there is no space for the pupils to hold a play this year.

The lack of kitchen facilities has also scuppered plans to serve the children a hot Christmas dinner. Instead, they will be given a festive packed lunch.

Mr Hesford said: "We've promised the children that we will have our Christmas dinner after December 25 and we'll also hold a play around Easter time next year.

"They won't be disappointed and we won't be beaten by the arsonists."

The school hall repairs could cost as much as £500,000.

So far, workmen have replaced the roof and windows. A new flooring is ready to be laid and the walls are set to be plastered.

It could be open as early as January 2002 -- just five months after teachers and other members of staff worked hard to clean up the smoke and water damage in classrooms, ready for the 230 pupils.

PE lessons and assemblies have recently been taking place in a neighbouring community centre.

The pupils are now getting ready for a series of classroom parties.

Mr Hesford said: "Everybody is looking forward to the completion of the new hall.

"Mark my words, we'll have a big celebratory party."