A young arsonist has admitted starting a fire that caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at a primary school.

Kymberley Charlotte Rowbotham, 20, started a fire in a recycling bin at All Saints Primary school in Clayton-le-Moors which caused damage to the school building, a court heard.

Rowbotham, who was 19 when the incident happened, had previously denied the charges and was due to stand trial at Burnley Crown Court this week. She instead pleaded guilty to two counts of arson.

Mark Ford, defending, said it had been suggested that Rowbotham may suffer from depression and should be screened for Asperger’s Syndrome.

He said the defendant has a number of problems, ‘both physical and mental’.

Mr Ford added: “She made it perfectly clear to me that, irrespective of the strength of the evidence against her, she wished to plead guilty in any event.

“I’m anxious to place these matters on record.”

Rowbotham, of Owen Court, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to two counts of arson in relation to the incident on August 5 last year. She was remanded in custody until Monday, February 3, when she will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

Judge Jonathan Gibson told Rowbotham he would consider pre-sentence, psychiatric and psychologists reports when he sentences her next month.

He said: “Having pleaded guilty you will receive proper credit for your guilty pleas.”

The school declined to comment.