RESIDENTS living near schools have been urged to be vigilant after arsonists caused extensive damage at a school.

The attack has prompted firefighters, Cleveland Police, British Transport Police and education officers to issue pleas for parents to keep a watch on their children during the summer holidays.

Firefighters spent an hour tackling the fire at Nunthorpe School, from about 7.45pm on Sunday, but could not save the £30,000 mobile classroom.

David Smith, assistant director of education for Redcar and Cleveland Education Authority, said a passer-by had alerted the fire brigade.

He said: "We are extremely grateful to the resident who acted promptly to raise the alarm. This was a very unfortunate incident in the school holidays but the school and the local education authority will work together to ensure there is no adverse impact.

"We appeal to anyone who sees anything suspicious to contact emergency services."

George Crooks, a police officer from the arson investigation unit, took the opportunity to call on parents to keep better control of their children during the holidays.

He said: "There is no doubt that the number of incidents of deliberate fires do go up in the summer holidays, but there is no reason at all why they have to. Sometimes, it is clearly down to anti-social behaviour, but other times its just childish pranks that go wrong. People should be aware that in the dry season fires can spread very rapidly and are very dangerous."

Police have already launched a number of campaigns across Cleveland to reduce anti-social behaviour during the break. Extra patrols are being sent into housing estates to catch rowdy youngsters.

A police van has been equipped to take video footage to help combat vandalism in Middlesbrough's Brambles Farm and Pallister Park estates.

A police spokesman said: "We appeal for anyone with any information about this arson to come forward. We ask everyone who lives near schools to be vigilant."

British Transport Police have also issued fresh warnings to children about the dangers of playing on railway tracks. A spokesman said a section of track between Norton and Bowesfield, in the Stockton area, had been identified as the most hazardous in the North of England.