TEACHERS are to be given specialist fire safety training in a bid to combat arson attacks on schools in East Lancashire.

And the move has been welcomed by the headteacher of a school that was completely gutted by firebugs two years ago.

Over 700 schools in the Lancashire County Council Education Authority will benefit from the sessions to be run by fire officers over the next five years.

And a report to fire chiefs has revealed it could also be introduced in Blackburn and Darwen in the near future.

The three-hour-long lessons, which are mainly aimed at teachers and site supervisors, include tips on evacuation procedures, fire extinguishers, risk assessment and arson prevention.

Fifteen schools across Lancashire have already taken part in the sessions, with a further 49 booked.

Viv Clark, the headteacher of Hoghton Gregson Lane Primary School, which was destroyed by arsonists two years ago, said: "I have heard about this scheme and I think it seems like a really good initiative.

"I do think that anything the authority can do to bring in other agencies like the fire service to help children learn and become good citizens is always worth while."

The school reopened last Wednesday after £2 million of Government money was invested to rebuild the site. The head added: "Staff are always willing to take on board new ideas and it is good to see the education authority bringing in things like this ."

Hugh Burkinshaw, headteacher of Peel Park County Primary School, Accrington, took part in the training with 20 members of teaching staff.

He said: "The staff found the training very useful, particularly the hands-on work using fire extinguishers. It was a very well tailored and put together course.

In 2000 alone, educational establishments across the UK suffered fire losses of £28 million..

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "The joint project between ourselves and Lancashire Fire and Rescue is proving to be extremely successful and we've received very positive feedback.

"The course covers all elements of fire safety, including the theory of combustion, how the various fire extinguishers work and fire risk assessment.

"We pay for a specialist team to visit the schools and the course is available for all the staff, including the caretaker, governors and the headteacher because it can be anybody who discovers a fire."

The initiative also makes links to safety in the home by promoting fire safety checks and fitting of smoke alarms.