LIFE-SAVING fire sprinklers should be installed in all of York's new schools, the city's top firefighter has urged.

Graham Buckle, group manager at York Fire Station, has written to York council leader Steve Galloway, calling on him to back the scheme.

In his letter, Mr Buckle said: "I am writing to you in your capacity as leader of the City of York Council to seek your support for the installation of fire sprinklers in the proposed new schools to be built within the city."

He said each week there were 40 fires in schools nationally, with an estimated 20 a week damaged by arson attacks.

York itself has suffered two major school fires in the last decade: l Park Grove Primary School, which was devastated by fire in February 1997, had an estimated rebuild cost of £2.4 million, causing disruption to pupils and staff for almost three years l Fulford School suffered a major fire in March 1999, destroying the craft, design and technology department and damaging adjacent buildings.

Mr Buckle said: "These two major fires had a massive impact on local communities and resources, not to mention the financial implications which could have been averted if sprinklers had been installed.

"There have also been many more minor fire incidents involving York schools which have had the potential to protract into larger fires, if it had not been for the swift intervention of the Fire and Rescue Service.

The first school in Britain to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system was a single-storey primary in Oldham in 1990. At the time, the school was worth more than £1 million, while the sprinkler system itself cost just over £20,000.

Mr Buckle said insurance companies often offered reduced premiums and a nil excess on policies for schools fitted with sprinklers - and national statistics show there is a 99 per cent survival rate from fires in buildings fitted with sprinklers.

Labour councillor Ken King, vice chairman of the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "In York, there have been two major fires at both Park Grove School and Fulford School, and many other smaller fires that could easily have spiralled out of control if it was not for the quick action from the fire service.

"To fit our new schools with sprinklers would only cost as little as one per cent to three per cent of the building cost. That is a small price to pay for millions of saved money in rebuilding costs.

"It is an even smaller cost when you consider the protection sprinklers would give to teachers and school children in York."

Coun Galloway said: "I have yet to receive any such letter and issues like this are referred in the first instance to our property department and they advise the council on the implications on building design.

"I don't want to comment fully until I have had their professional advice, but I'm sure when we are looking at the design for the new York High School and the new Joseph Rowntree School these are the kind of issues we'll be taking into account."

* Fire crews were called to a blaze at Bedale High School after a bin was set alight and placed outside the main front entrance.

The doors were burned and there was smoke damage to the inside of the school. It is being treated as as arson.