REPAIRS at arson-hit Smithills School could cost as much as £400,000 to repair.

A blaze broke out in the east wing of the upper building of the school in Smithills Dean Road on Saturday morning, leaving three classrooms wrecked and six others smoke damaged.

Police are treating the fire as arson, and are carrying out enquiries in the area.

The Bolton Evening News understands that loss adjusters investigating the damage are putting the 'ball park' figure for repairs at around £400,000.

Ten temporary classrooms are to be set up at the school while structural engineers examine the building this week to detail the extent of the damage. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that they were alerted to the fire by a security firm after the blaze burned through burglar alarm wires.

'The security company went round to investigate and, on seeing the fire, rang 999,' the spokesman said.

He added that, due to national fire legislation, there is no requirement for all classrooms to be fitted with smoke alarms.

Forensic investigators are examining shards of glass for fingerprints as they search for clues.

There is a history of vandalism and of youths drinking in the area, and small fires have been started near the school in the past.

The latest blaze broke out at 7.40am on Saturday. An adjoining staircase was also put out of action, meaning 14 classrooms cannot be used.

The school will remain closed on Monday, January 9, although members of staff will be at work. Most of the school will go back on Tuesday, but Year 7 will remain at home all next week.

Firefighters saved one of the schools main computer rooms. Some coursework is thought to have been ruined by the fire. The majority of the rebuild cost will be met by the councils insurance policy, a local authority spokesman confirmed.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.