Two members of staff were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a Dalton-in-Furness school classroom this afternoon.

More than 1,000 pupils were safely evacuated from Dowdales Secondary School following the blaze in the food technology unit.

The two staff members were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure but later discharged, said Cumbria County Council.

School buses arrived early to return some pupils home early while others were sent to the nearby leisure centre.

The blaze - thought to have been caused by a tumble dryer - was brought under control by firefighters.

Appliances from Barrow, Dalton, Ulverston, Broughton and Walney were called to the scene shortly after 2pm.

Six breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and one main jet were used to douse the flames, which also spread to the roof of the building.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service remained on site as the damage was assessed.

A council spokesman said: "The fire was reported in the food technology unit of the school shortly after 2pm and early indications are that it is thought to have been caused by a tumble dryer.

"Two members of staff at the school were taken to hospital after the fire. They have now been released from hospital and given the all clear."

The school's headteacher, Julie O'Connor, said: "While this has been a difficult afternoon, the evacuation went very smoothly, with students and staff working together to ensure everyone's safety.

"Further details on the extent of the damage and how it will affect the running of the school from Monday will be issued on the school website over the weekend."

It was the second major fire of the day in Dalton following this morning’s blaze at a breaker’s yard on Ulverston Road.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said that the two fires are not linked.