PEOPLE living near two high schools have been urged to stay on their guard following two incidents.

Albany High School, Bolton Road, and Holy Cross RC High School, Berg Road, Chorley, have been attacked -- prompting a police call for help from local residents.

At Albany High School, vandals smashed their way in and set fire to a room.

The blaze, in the early hours of Sunday, was brought under control quickly and caused little damage.

Burglars broke into Holy Cross High School on Saturday night but were disturbed before they could steal anything.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We are very concerned about the break ins and hope it isn't the start of something more prolonged.

"We would ask residents who live near to high schools in Chorley to keep an eye on them at night and over the weekends to make sure nothing untoward is happening."

The spokesman added: "These incidents could have had serious consequences and have been committed by reckless members of the public."

Information to 0800 555 111.