David Stewart made the comparison with Victorian standards after a tour of the school on Friday with his two fellow Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs, Peter Peacock and Rhoda Grant.

Mr Peacock summed up their feelings when he said: "The school is every bit as grim as we had expected and is not suitable for the 21st century."

The trio threw their weight behind the campaign to secure a replacement for the run-down Wick High buildings, pledging to press the issue on several fronts. That will include investigating possible action by the European Parliament.

The parent council launched its campaign in March with an audiovisual presentation and a tour of the school buildings, highlighting a depressing catalogue of defects inside and out. Jamie Stone, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has championed the cause and an action committee was due to be formed at an open event at the school last night (Tuesday).

Mr Stewart said he had never seen a school in as bad a state as Wick High in his 11 years as a politician.

"The facilities are inadequate and pose a major health-and-safety hazard," he said. "It must put an added strain on pupils, who have enough pressures to contend with in endeavouring to get good qualifications."

Mr Peacock said the three MSPs would pushing the Highland Council to make Wick High a high-priority case.

"The children and teachers deserve much better," Mr Peacock said. "We pledge to support the parents and the school in making the case to convince the Highland Council that it is a priority to replace Wick High School.

"There are three parts to the campaign – to persuade the Highland Council that they must make a bigger allocation to their education budget, to convince them that Wick High School is a high-priority case, and to push for replacement.

"It is a great pity that at the time the Highland Council identified the 11 new schools to be funded by PPP (public/private partnership) Wick High School was not classified as a high priority. However, it is important that we all focus on the future and achieve a positive outcome for the staff and children there now.

Inspecting a damaged ceiling in one of the blocks at Wick High School are (from left) rector Alister Traill, Labour Highlands and Islands MSPs David Stewart, Peter Peacock and Rhoda Grant, head girl Jenny Sinclair and head janitor Ron Mackay. The MSPs were visiting the school on Friday morning. Robert MacDonald 01955 602741

"This is an issue which has cross-party support – it is vital that with the Highland Council we find a way to fund a new school."

Rhoda Grant said Wick High was "an exceptional case" and added: "The bottom line is that something has to be done. The situation cannot be left as it is."

The three MSPs are planning to meet the Highland Council convener, Councillor Sandy Park, and the chief executive, Alistair Dodds, in advance of the authority's budget review for new schools. The Labour trio also intend to pursue the Wick issue at the Scottish Parliament and to contact Scottish Labour MEPs David Martin and Catherine Stihler to see if the European Parliament can be of assistance.

As reported last week, HM Inspectorate of Education is anticipating a visit to Wick High in the not-too-distant future and Mr Stone is awaiting a reply to an invitation he extended to First Minister Alex Salmond to come north and see the dilapidated buildings for himself.

Mr Stone is also awaiting word from Wick High "old boy" Colin Boyd, previously Lord Advocate and now Lord Boyd of Duncansby, on a legal ruling as to whether the legal rights of those who use the school have been breached.

Following its formation, the action group will be appealing for volunteers and mapping out a fundraising programme to finance its campaign.

n.donaldson@nosn.co.uk

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