A DERELICT former school and workhouse in Bledlow was destroyed by fire last night.

Firefighters say around half of the building, which is listed, was damaged by the blaze.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight and fire crews from High Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Haddenham battled for hours to contain the flames.

The Perry Lane building, known as Bledlow Homes, is around 200 years old. It is currently owned by Buckinghamshire County Council but is under offer to be sold.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently being carried out.

These pictures of the fire were taken by Phil McIntosh.