A HEADTEACHER is employing a security guard to patrol his primary school after vandals smashed windows and caused part of the roof to collapse.

Youths jumped up and down on the roof of St Simon and St Jude School, Great Lever, and used scaffolding poles to smash windows.

Headteacher Terry Whelan said he may be forced to get rid of a member of staff unless the vandals stop draining the school's dwindling resources.

The school was forced to cancel the summer fair planned for today due to safety fears.

Vandals have targeted the school every night since building work started a week ago to repair damage to the roof caused by repeated earlier vandalism attacks.

Staff and pupils arrived yesterday morning to find the worst case so far, with three windows smashed and part of the roof collapsing in a corridor and the dining hall.

"I was talking to a parent in the dining room when a six foot section of ceiling fell just inches away from us," said Mr Whelan.

"The vandals are up on the roof every night causing serious damage. Each morning we don't know what we will find.

"If we have to keep paying for repairs eventually it will cost jobs. I don't want to think about getting rid of a teacher and we will try to avoid it, but we might have no choice."

The school will initially pay a security guard to patrol the site while the 11-week building project is under way, at a cost of around £3,000.

"It is mainly as a deterrent, but if those responsible are caught that will also be a positive outcome," said Mr Whelan.

School governor Pauline Hensman, whose children Daniel, aged nine, and Bethany, aged seven, are pupils, said: "It was a great disappointment to cancel the fair and we will lose money.

"We feel angry that money is going on repairs which could be spent on our children's education."

St Simon's is the latest in a long line of schools recently targeted by vandals.

George Tomlinson High School, Kearsley, had a repair bill of £500,000 after 150 windows were smashed, and spent £15,000 on a CCTV security system.

In February, pupils at Cherry Tree Primary, Farnworth, had to be taught in the hall after vandals set fire to a reception class.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Vandalism is a great concern, not only for the damage. Having to meet repair bills means that money is being taken away from children's education.

"We would urge that anyone who witnesses any incidents contact the council or the police."