A Westhoughton school which has been besieged for years by young vandals has taken a "last-ditch" approach to keep them out -- by fencing the premises off.

And while staff at Westhoughton County Primary School stress that they do not feel they are being singled-out or deliberately targeted by youngsters intent on wreaking havoc, the Central Drive school has been subject to attacks virtually on a weekly basis.

Approved

Bolton Council's Planning Committee has approved plans by the school to build a two metre high fence to close off the rear of the school.

A report to the Planning Committee said that one letter had been received from nearby residents raising concerns about the potential visual impact of the fence.

But the report states: "The applicant has ensured that the minimum amount of fencing is used to secure the school to combat the continuous occurrences of vandalism to windows."

And adds that the fencing will only be visible from the school's playing fields and from a small footpath at the rear.

Headteacher Susan Marshall told the BEN that she was pleased that the plan for the fence had found favour with the town's planners but described it as a "very sad day" for the school.

"It is sad that we have had to take such measures to protect the school but we felt like we have been left with no choice," she said. "Over the years we have suffered what must be thousands of pounds worth of damage in smashed windows and damage to property, so the cost of the fencing will be well worth it."

Installed

She added: "We have also installed shutters to most of the windows at the rear of the school to prevent them from being smashed. Our main problem is with underage drinkers who get into the grounds over the weekends.

"Because the school is not overlooked, they can basically do what they want. And every Monday our caretaker is forced to spend the first few hours cleaning up broken bottles and repairing any damage these people have caused."

Over the Easter break alone Mrs Marshall said youths had broken panelling to get into the school's swimming pool area as well as smashing windows.

"It's not the first time they have got into the pool area and the last time they put the pool out of action for quite some time," she said. "The police know what is going on and we have their full approval to put up the fence."

She added: "I cannot get inside the minds of these people so why they are doing it is a mystery but hopefully when the fence goes up in the summer it will put an end to the damage."

Planning committee members agreed to the fencing which they said would be well-screened by existing landscaping and would be painted green to reduce the visual impact.

The report concludes: "It is considered to be acceptable due to its contribution to crime prevention."