Across the country abandoned school buildings have been making headlines as firebugs set them ablaze.

And now fears are rising that the same fate could befall the abandoned Auchenback Primary School building, with residents fearing that a spark could ignite a raging inferno in the big building.

We went door to door in the streets surrounding the former school to gauge opinions, and the consensus was people want the building put to good use or brought down as soon as possible.

Karen Murphy, 39, living on nearby Aurs Drive, said: “I haven’t been in this house long but I can already see the building slowly deteriorating.

“Every week there seems to be another window smashed or something else damaged on the grounds and I think it really is a shame because it looks like a building that could be used better.

“If it isn’t going to be used it should be knocked down.” The building is set to be demolished in the future to make way for a mutli-million early years project, as detailed in last week’s Barrhead News.

This would see the relocation of Arthurlie Nursery from the St Mark’s Primary School campus as well as a dedicated centre to helping younger children from difficult backgrounds get the best start possible in life.

And Helena Wardrop, 67, who has lived in Auchenback all her life said: “I think the plans for the site are spot on and I would rather that than more houses.

“But if that big old building was to go on fire it would cause chaos for Auchenback.

“God knows what kind of materials are in that big building.” So far no reports of fires have come from the building and East Renfrewshire Council have taken efforts to make sure the building is secure as it awaits its fate.

Police Scotland have also said they will respond to reports of anyone on the premises or anti-social behaviour reports while council wardens monitor the area.

East Renfrewshire Council also has CCTV stationed close by.