Sussex Police are to reinvestigate a multi-million-pound school arson attack following the acquittal of a 16-year-old boy.

The teenager smiled as he walked free from Lewes Crown Court earlier this week after being found not guilty of torching Tideway School in Newhaven.

Police yesterday issued a statement saying: "A thorough investigation into the arson at Tideway School was conducted by Sussex Police and a youth was subsequently charged following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

"Following the acquittal of this youth at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, Sussex Police will conduct a review of the investigation to establish whether any further lines of inquiry have arisen as a result of the trial and further consultation with the Education Department at East Sussex County Council will take place."

A jury took just an hour to consider its verdict and clear the boy of arson and burglary after a week-long trial.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had denied the charges and claimed he was framed by an older teenager.

Tideway was closed for two weeks following the blaze which broke out at about midnight on April 4.

The teenager, who lives in Newhaven, and two other boys were said to have entered the school site through a gap in a fence. He allegedly made his way to the staff room in the dark using a lighter as a torch. One of the other boys claimed he saw the defendant set light to a bundle of papers.

But the boy told the jury he had been set up by another youth, a 17-year-old who is awaiting trial for a different case of arson.

The older boy, who has been arrested ten times this year, including three times for arson offences, gave evidence through a video link to the jury.

He claimed the defendant had asked him to take part in a burglary at the school but he refused. The court heard the two boys had been in several fights.