FIREBUGS tried to burn down a Farnworth primary school last night, causing £4,000 of damage to extension work.

The latest attack on Highfield County Primary School brings the total bill caused by vandals on the site to more than £20,000 in just a few weeks.

Now the contractors are planning to recruit security guards.

Fire crews were called twice last night. On the first occasion, youths piled up rubbish and lit a bonfire in the grounds.

Firemen returned at 11.30pm and discovered wooden pellets had been propped up against the extension work and set alight.

Station Officer Derek Wright from Farnworth Fire Station, said: "It was lucky the fire was spotted. The whole school could have burned down."

Headteacher, Mrs Janet Woods, said: "Had the firemen not been called when they were, we would not have a school.

"This is another slap in the face for both myself and my staff. I am sickened.

"I do not know what anyone can gain by destroying the school. We try so very hard to be positive and always involve the community to help make a better environment. The parents are devastated."

A spokesman for the building company, Hayvern, based in Farnworth said: "I was at the school last week when the police caught four kids aged about seven or eight. But because they were so young, they got nothing more than a pat on the head.

"If nothing is going to be done to stop this happening then we will have to police the site ourselves."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.