A SCHOOL destroyed by fire could be back up and running within two years thanks to a £5.5million windfall, it was revealed today.

The Assembly executive has pledged the cash towards building a new Rogerstone School.

And Newport city council is confident insurers will pay out a further £1.5 to £2 million.

That easily covers the minimum £6m price tag for a state-of-the-art building which will 'bring the kids home'.

Rogerstone School was destroyed in an arson attack on April 16 last year.

Since then, youngsters have been shuttled to the empty Westfield School, in Malpas, Newport.

Councillor Ernie Watkins, chairman of governors at Rogerstone School, welcomed the massive cash investment.

"It's wonderful news," he said. "Parents, governors and teachers are overjoyed. Good on the Assembly - they've done us proud.

"It's going to be a very important building for Rogerstone."

The move to Westfield School - which is a couple of miles from Rogerstone - proved unpopular with parents. They had safety fears over the M4 commute.

Mr Watkins said today's news would be a relief for anxious parents.

"We'll be very pleased to get the children back in Rogerstone," he said. "The daily journey worried many parents."

Mr Watkins hoped work on replacing the school would start straight away.

He said: "Now we've got to get on with building it. The designs will be finalised this week. I hope the new school can open in early 2006.

"I had no doubt the money would be found - through a partnership of the Assembly, the council and insurers.

"The money already spent at Westfield could help keep it open as a community resource.

"New furniture bought for the move can be used in the replacement school."

The Assembly funds come from a £85m cash-pot to improve school buildings and will mostly be paid out between 2005 and 2007.

Education minister Jane Davidson said: "This supports our commitment that by 2010 all school buildings should be in a good physical shape and properly maintained."

In September, year one pupils, aged six, will return to Rogerstone to join nursery and reception classes, which stayed at the site in temporary classrooms.