Fire crews leave Glasgow Art School Mackintosh building

Staff and students from Glasgow School of Art applauded as fire crews handed over the building and left the scene

Staff and students at Glasgow School of Art have lined the streets to applaud fire crews leaving the scene of the blaze-hit Mackintosh building .

They were showing their appreciation to firefighters whose efforts resulted in most of the iconic building and its contents being saved.

The firefighters departure came a week to the day after the fire broke out.

A fund launched to meet the cost of the restoration work has already attracted millions of pounds in pledges.

Crews had remained in 24-hour attendance at the Garnethill campus throughout the week as they continued their work in the aftermath of the major incident.

When the last of the fire crews withdrew from the scene, they were given a heroes' send-off, accompanied by loud cheers and a piper.

Art school director Professor Tom Inns said: "The students returned to the campus today and the GSA is now focusing on its academic work moving forward towards graduation.

"However we did not want to miss this opportunity to once again register our deep and heart felt thanks to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who over the last week have been quite simply amazing."

A piper played as the last firefighters left the damaged buildings

The Architects Journal has announced that it is to present a special architectural award to the fire service for its "extraordinary efforts" in saving what it called "one of the world's most admired buildings".

Acting editor Rory Olcayto said: "Their bravery, quick-wittedness and civic pride are qualities the whole architecture profession is grateful for."

About 200 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze at its height and the fire service has been widely praised after crews salvaged 90% of the structure of the A-listed building and saved up to 70% of its contents.