POLICE are due on Thursday to arrest school children suspected of being involved in racist violence.

Fifteen boys, aged from 13 to 18, including current and former pupils at Smithills School, are expected to be arrested after a dossier of evidence was compiled by police.

Police have called for pupils still at the school who have been involved in the trouble to be expelled.

The move is in response to a series of fights in the last two weeks between pupils of different race and religion.

Insp Simon Miskell, of Bolton Police, said: "Be aware that police in Bolton will not tolerate any incident of disorder, particularly where it is racial."

Police say incidents of assault and disorder have rocketed at the school in recent weeks following "playful fighting" when snow fell around a fortnight ago.

Clashes have been reported among separate groups of white and Asian pupils in and out of school.

Police also fear weapons are being taken on to school grounds by pupils for protection. A police officer has been posted to the school.

The arrests come less than a week after an expelled pupil and a friend walked into a class at Sharples School and beat two 14-year-olds as youngsters were being taught.

One boy suffered a broken nose and a 16-year-old boy was arrested and later bailed.

Extra police have been put on patrol at both schools.

Police say there has been a sharp increase in violence at both Smithills and Sharples Schools and that much of it was racially motivated.

Police say officers will stop and search anyone in or near the schools who they believe intend to cause problems.

Insp Miskell said: "We are absolutely committed to stamping out racism, be it in the classroom or outside of it.

"Schools are places to learn and parents need to feel that their children, while at school, are in an environment that is not only safe but free from any form of victimisation."

Insp Miskell has called for teachers and governors to take action by expelling those involved in racist incidents.

"Following a period when snow fell around two weeks ago, there was some playful fighting which has led to some more serious incidents which we are investigating," he said.

"There have been around five or six incidents and we believe some pupils may be taking weapons into the school.

"I would look to the Local Education Authority to follow the lead set by the police in dealing with this type of incident.

"I am hopeful that the senior management of both schools exhibit a pragmatic and absolute commitment to have no place for racists in school or out of it."

Ken Howell, deputy head of Smithills School, said: "We are happy to co-operate with the police as we do on a daily basis.

"There has been an incident in the school which has needed us to call police."

School governor Cllr John Walsh said: "If there is a problem at the school we need to do what we can as councillors and governors.

"But if there are policing issues at the school then they are best placed to tackle that and I'm keen to that the school co-operates in every way it can.

"I back this strong and robust action to send a message to pupils that unruly behaviour will not be tolerated."