STATE-OF-THE-ART sprinkler systems are to be installed in schools across Lancashire in a bid to curb the multi-million pound cost of arson attacks.

All new schools in the county are now to be fitted with the devices -- starting with a pilot scheme at the newly built Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School, Hoghton, which was destroyed by a £2million fire in May.

Buildings undergoing refurbishments will also be seriously considered and a scheme to take in all schools will be introduced if education bosses can secure funding.

But Lancashire County Council leader Coun Hazel Harding today said the massive cost, running into millions of pounds, would have to be seriously considered because the cost of fire damage was much higher.

Over the eight years up to 2000, 534 fires at schools resulted in more than £4million damage, 90 per cent of it caused by arson.

The move was confirmed after fire chiefs urged action at a meeting of the county's Combined Fire Authority yesterday.

A report by the CFA urged councils to set aside money for sprinkler systems, stating they would slash the costs of school fires as well as preventing injuries.

It said several have been badly injured fighting fires in schools and added: "With a sprinkler system even the most severe outbreak of fire can have its growth slowed and fire size contained, not only limiting overall damage but assisting the Fire Service to gain access to the building." Leader of Lancashire County Council Hazel Harding said: "The costs for each new school would be thousands and it would be even larger to put them in schools that are already built, that could cost millions across the authority.

"But the cost of losing a school and all the children's work is much bigger.

"We have to balance that cost against the cost of losing a school through fire damage.

"It makes economic sense to include systems in new buildings or when a major refurbishment is taking place.

"It would be a huge disruption to put sprinkler systems in the older schools and we would have to look if some are less of a fire risk than others.

"At the moment we don't have the money to put them in all schools but we will look at it."

Her calls were echoed by Blackburn with Darwen counterpart Bill Taylor who said: "It makes sense to invest in any safety device which can protect our schools.

"The safety of children must be the prime responsibility."

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "Lancashire Education Authority together with those at Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool have received a copy of yesterday's report and we are all giving the matter our consideration."

Headteacher Vivienne Clark who said: "At the moment the architects are looking at the design of the new school but this decision is very much welcome."

Accrington school Moorhead High was hit by a number of attacks last year.

Headteacher Andrew Bateman said: "Any additional resources to prevent damage to school would obviously be very welcome. Some kind of early warning system or sprinklers would be beneficial."

MP Nigel Evans, whose Ribble Valley constituency is next to the school said: "This is a good idea. Its long overdue.

"It is a sensible safety precaution, not just against vandalism but because accidents do happen.

"We should now be looking at other schools where we can install sprinklers."