GOVERNORS at a Westhoughton school have been given the go-ahead to surround the building with a security fence -- three years after a teenager fell through the roof.

Jamie Young-Patel, aged 16, died when he plunged through a skylight at St Thomas Chequerbent School, Molyneux Road, in July 1999.

An inquest recorded a verdict of misadventure after the youngster, who was a pupil of Westhoughton High School, climbed up while celebrating a friend's birthday.

Youths still gather around the building at night -- often to drink alcohol -- and easily scale the existing fence to get onto the roof.

Two residents wrote to planning chiefs saying the 2.4 metre fence should be built to avoid a future tragedy and to stop the school from being vandalised.

A letter from Graham Andrews, chairman of governors, said: "Security has been a major concern of the governing body since the tragic accident in July 1999.

"The governors have since tried to prevent unauthorised access to the school roof with measures such as anti-climb paint.

"While this has undoubtedly reduced the number of incidents, we are told that trespassing on the roof still occurs."

The letter, which was presented to the planning committee following a meeting with residents, said the fence would also help the school's battle against vandalism.

It said: "Drug-taking and underage drinking is unfortunately a regular occurrence in our school grounds.

"Many times the drinkers find it funny to break their bottles over the school playing areas.

"Sometimes our caretaker can clean up the mess but on occasions we have had to call council workmen to clean up."

The letter also said a number of windows had also been smashed said the school had recently suffered an arson attack.

Eleven local residents had met governors and police officers to discuss the proposals. Councillors say the fence should be made of a special welded-mesh so it would be in keeping with its surroundings.