A HEADTEACHER in Bamber Bridge is being forced to consider drastic measures to protect his school following an arson attack which put children's lives in danger.

Monday's incident follows a spate of vandalism at St Mary's and St Benedict's Primary School, Brownedge Lane, costing the school thousands of pounds.

The fire meant junior children had to be evacuated from after-school clubs after two youths reported a fire in the boys' outside toilet block.

The junior site was forced to close for one day after the incident due to the damage.

Now headteacher Peter Gerrish is considering installing security fencing in a bid to protect the building and pupils.

Mr Gerrish said: "It's sometimes unpopular with residents, but if human life is threatened measures need to be taken.

"We have had a number of incidents these past few weeks with broken windows. It has cost us about £1,000 and I estimate this damage will cost us another £2,000."

Mr Gerrish is just one of many headteachers having to pick up the pieces after attacks on schools.

Headteacher of Ribbleton Hall High School Steven Roe said: "Security is a big concern for all schools and our windows are now either barred or shuttered."

But Robert McNeill, deputy headteacher at the Hutton Grammar, Liverpool Road, which had £5,000 worth of computer equipment stolen at the weekend, said they could not compete with determined thieves.

"We just don't have the finances available for a hi-tech security system," he said. "We certainly wouldn't have any money to put security cameras up."

Detective Constable Keith Allen, of Bamber Bridge police said: "Vandalism can be a problem especially during school holidays and we will be stepping up patrols. We are working with schools to discuss security measures."