THE headteacher of fire-ravaged Smithills School has called on police to tackle gangs of louts who gather nearby.

Ken Howell spoke as portable classrooms were delivered to the school in preparation for the return of pupils for the first time since the New Year's Eve blaze.

The fire in the upper school wrecked three classrooms and caused smoke damage to six others.

Arsonists have been blamed and damage estimated at £400,000 was caused.

Mr Howell said he was working with police to stop groups of youths congregating on Smithils Dean Road.

He said: "I'm aware that in recent months we've had youngsters gathering on Smithills Dean Road who are nothing to do with the school.

"We don't know who was responsible for the fire but I'm hopeful the police can do something about the problem."

Police chiefs say the fire may be linked to the presence of gangs in the area.

Insp Simon Miskell said: "The school has brought to our attention the fact there have been problems with youths gathering near the grounds since Christmas.

"Regardless of whether this is linked to the fire, and potentially it may be, it is something we are working with the school to address."

Teachers returned to the school on Monday - the first day of the new term.

Most pupils were due to return Tuesday.

Some lessons will take place in 10 portable classrooms which were delivered earlier this week.

But Year 7 pupils will not return to school until next Monday. Work will then begin to repair fire damage to the building.

He said: "We have been offered tremendous support and our staff have worked very hard.

"The main priority was to make sure the school was safe for pupils to return.

Teachers were assessing how much damage had been caused to pupil's coursework.

Mr Howell said GCSE English coursework had been destroyed in one classroom and modern languages work may also have been lost.

He said: "Some work has been lost, but we have notified the relevant exam boards and they will take into consideration work which has been already completed."

Fire chiefs have called on schools to fit sprinkler systems to limit the damage caused by arson attacks.

Vinny Simpson, borough commander for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, says that a sprinkler system could have stopped the spread of a blaze at Smithills School. He is now calling for them to be installed in all schools. Education bosses say the costs of immediately putting such systems in place borough-wide would be too high.

Mr Simpson said: "Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service advocate the fitting of fire sprinklers in schools.

"This may have prevented any significant fire spread at Smithills School.

"But as yet there is no statutory requirement to fit sprinklers in schools."

Education bosses say sprinklers will be fitted in new buildings and during major refurbishments of existing schools.

Chris Swift, Bolton Council's assistant director of policy and resources said: "Sprinkler systems will be installed in the building of new schools and will form part of the specification of big refurbishments of schools, such as is being undertaken at Hayward School."

He added: "Sprinklers are designed to protect property and lives. The safety of staff and children is paramount and evacuation procedures are rehearsed every term to ensure this."

Mr Swift said that money was not available to equip every school immediately and the installation of sprinklers systems would be done "progressively".