A PRIMARY school headteacher is counting the cost of vandalism -- for the fifth time in two months.

Vandals uprooted a concrete perimeter fence during a weekend attack at St Michael's Church of England Primary School in Green Lane, Great Lever.

They damaged roof tiles, windows and a wooden fence surrounding the school's Millennium Garden during the summer months.

The school has already spent about £3,000 on repairs.

Now headteacher Janet Westwell says the school are prepared to spend £10,000 to install a metal security fence. Mrs Westwell said: "Vandalism is taking money away from the education of the children.

"We are throwing good money after bad and are now going to go for proper palisade fencing which is going to cost thousands of pounds. This is money that could have been spent on the children.

"I try to get down to the school over the weekend to check as much as I can, but I can't be there all the time. Vandalism is an ongoing problem -- it happens nearly every weekend. It is just mindless."

In the latest incident, vandals attacked a concrete fence which borders part of the school alongside Green Lane.

They ripped a post from the ground and removed the stone slats, leaving them lying on the pavement.

Mrs Westwell also said youths congregate around the school at night, many of them leaving smashed bottles strewn around the playground.

Metal bars have also been installed on the school's windows.

Mrs Westwell added: "We have informed the police and they have said they will pay us a visit.

"I would urge anyone who saw anything at the weekend or has witnessed these incidents to contact the school or the police."

Anyone with information should call Bolton police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.