A HEADTEACHER has pointed the finger of blame for two arson attacks on his school at local youngsters.

And Mr John Howarth at Lowton Junior and Infants School says they are hitting a 'most important part of their own community'.

In the latest incident firebugs broke into the school on Slag Lane, Lowton, and set fire to the deputy head teacher's office, just before 2pm, on Friday afternoon.

Firefighters from Leigh went to the scene and were able to contain the blaze to the small office without it spreading throughout the entire school.

Part of the carpet and school papers were burned and the office was badly smoke damaged. Several windows were found broken at the school and officers said there were signs of a break-in.

A week earlier, part of an undercover area was damaged after arsonists set fire to rags on a section of roof. Fortunately it did not spread to the rest of the school after firefighters arrived on the scene in minutes.

Mr Howarth said the arson attacks were 'irritating'.

He added: "We are happy that local young people should be able to use the school field but it is very unfair when they go on to vandalize and damage the school which is a most important part of their own community."

Mr Howarth paid tribute to the council's Central Watch, the fire brigade and the school's caretaker and her husband for the work they had done during and after the fire.

Det. Insp. Ian Foster of Leigh CID said police and fire officers were investigating both incidents.

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