CHILDREN'S lives are being put at risk by a rise in the number of arson attacks on schools - with the worst rate in the North-East, according to a new study.

The Arson Prevention Bureau (APB) has revealed that a third of arson attacks on schools are started during the day.

Its research showed that between 1998 and 2000, daytime attacks rose by almost 50 per cent to 250 a year across the country, leaving an annual bill of £115m.

It also showed that the North-East had the worst rate in the country - 3.7 fires per 100,000 pupils, compared with 3.4 in London, the second worst area.

The organisation is calling on local authorities to fit sprinkler systems into all new schools.

Jane Milne, APB chief executive, said: "The alarming rise in daytime school arson attacks is a tragedy waiting to happen."

In March, during a visit to re-open Hardwick Primary School, in Sedgefield, County Durham, Education Secretary Charles Clarke pledged to examine arson attack figures to see if there was a need for extra security. The school cost more than £800,000 to repair following a blaze last year.

Middleton St George Primary, near Darlington, was also severely damaged by fire this year.

Many local authorities say they cannot afford to put in sprinkler systems, which cost between £50,000 and £100,000.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said it considered installation in every new building after carrying out a cost benefit analysis with the fire authority and insurers.

A Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council spokesman said sprinklers could sometimes cause more damage than the fires.

North Yorkshire County Council said it was sending delegates to a Local Government Association conference today examining fire precautions in public buildings, particularly schools.

A Department for Education and Skills spokesman said it was reviewing the role sprinkler systems had to play.