A huge blaze has broken out at an old primary school in Aberdeen.

Fire crews were called to Victoria Road Primary School in Torry just after 9am on Friday.

Thick black smoke can be seen for miles as it engulfs the city's skyline.

The old school is currently being transformed into housing association flats.

Victoria Road in Torry has been closed in both directions while firefighters deal with the incident.

Drivers have been advised to avoid Abbey Road which has also been closed.

First Aberdeen and Stagecoach services in the area are also being diverted.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent six appliances to the blaze after it was reported to them at 9.20am.

The historic school, which was first built in 1878, closed its doors in 2008.

Last year the Torry Development Group and Grampian Housing Association were selected to be preferred bidders for the site.

The groups now plan to convert the old school, which survived a bombing during the Second World War, into affordable housing.

Ross Thomson, Scottish Conservative MP for Aberdeen South, said: "People in the local area will have been shocked to see the building on fire this morning.

"It is credit to the fire service that the situation was brought under control quickly.

"Clearly, we do not yet know the cause of this blaze. However, it is clear from previous experience that empty buildings can become targets for vandals and fire-raisers.

"I hope that security measures will be tightened up where possible."