A MASSIVE fence is to be built around a York primary school to protect it from vandalism attacks.

Only hours before last night's accident at Derwent Junior School, planning councillors voted unanimously to allow the 2.4-metre high (seven-foot) fence to be built around Westfield Primary school, in Askham Lane, Acomb.

The school has suffered from a catalogue of incidents since July last year.

They include an arson attack which completely destroyed a mobile classroom, which had to be replaced at a cost of £60,000.

The school grounds have also been used for drug and alcohol abuse, with needles routinely found in them, and glass from alcohol bottles has been found strewn over playgrounds and grass areas.

Four cars, two burnt-out, were also found within school grounds.

Other incidents include destroyed CCTV cameras, cut phone lines, vandalised doors, windows smashed with bricks and golf balls, broken roof tiles and wrecked skylights.

The green palisade fence will stretch for more than 800 metres along sections of Grange Lane, Askham Lane and Westfield Place.

Eight residents from near the school wrote to the council objecting to the scheme, which they said would devalue their properties and obstruct their views.

Coun Sue Galloway, supporting the proposals, said: "I think it's very sad that we have to do this, but it's the state of the country we live in at the moment.

"We have got to do something to protect the school's assets."

Updated: 10:28 Friday, February 20, 2004