A VANDALISM plagued special school has won its battle for better security despite objections from nearby residents.

Greenfold Special School in Farnworth has been forced to spend thousands of pounds clearing up after hooligans who have smashed windows, broken roof tiles and even taken drugs on the school site.

But stepped-up security, including special netting on the roof, has failed to deter the vandals.

Councillor yesterday approved the school's solution -- a two-metre high security fence behind an existing hedge.

The proposal has upset residents in nearby Highfield Drive and Dove Walk who claim it will be a blot on the landscape.

Some 54 have signed a petition calling for councillors to reject the proposed fence which they claim is too prominent and too close to their homes.

Among the objectors was Lynn Blower of Dove Walk. She said: "It will be an eyesore. It's probably going to look more like a prison than a school."

But Mary Bretherton, also of Dove Walk, said vandalism was so rife at Greenfold that something had to be done.

"Since the school was built it's become a football ground and somewhere were kids go to booze," she said. "They often climb on the roof too. I think it needs something to stop them."

Greenfold chairman of governors Phillip Collier, of Lumwood, Smithills, moved to ease residents' fears.

He said: "I'm aware there are concerns that we will make the school look like Fort Knox but it will be completely sympathetic to the surroundings.

"We hope that in due course the fence won't be visible at all behind the hedge. There's been anxiety from the residents that it will be an eyesore but that won't be the case.

"The main purpose is to recover the grounds for the children to use. There have been times when the playground was covered with glass on a Monday and we have had to have it cleaned the kids could use it.

"The layout has meant people have been able to hide around the back and there is evidence of drugs and solvent abuse. We don't want that to escalate."

The school has promised to plug gaps in the existing hawthorn hedge which they claim will make the fence effectively invisible to neighbours.