VANDALISM attacks on Bolton schools have plummeted over the summer holidays.

Many schools that have had major problems in the past, are reporting only minor damage -- such as glass bottles being thrown on to playgrounds --and one or two smashed windows.

However, summer holiday vandalism remains a problem in several schools where vandals have sprayed graffiti, smashed windows, clambered on to roofs and on occasion even broken into buildings.

Headteachers say they are mystified as to why there has been less vandalism -- although many have speculated the good weather and better security measures, such as fencing, sensors and metal window shutters have contributed to the decline.

Many schools said vandals would have been deterred because of builders being on many sites.

Barbara Booth, headteacher of Spindle Point Primary School, in Kearsley, said: "We are having work done and had workmen on site. I think that has made a difference."

Sheila Holland, headteacher of Queen Street Primary School, in Farnworth, said: "We had some windows broken at the beginning of the holiday and we had four replaced last week. However, it's nothing like as bad as it was last year - we had to have boards over all the windows then."

St George Primary School, in Westhoughton, was one of the schools which did report problems with vandalism.

Deputy Head James Royle said there had been four break ins in the past four months, at a cost of more than £4,000 to the school.

At Top o'th' Brow Primary School, in Greenroyd Avenue, Bolton, caretaker Maldwyn Cole reported that vandals had sprayed a new roof with graffiti and smashed about a dozen windows. He added that there have also been three break ins.

A classroom and corridor at Clarendon Primary School in Great Lever, was damaged by smoke after vandals stuffed burning paper into an extractor fan. The school lost books and a computer in the incident at the beginning of August.