GOVERNORS at a private Christian school in West End could be forced to install CCTV cameras after arsonists struck.

Staff at the 130-pupil school, which is funded by Southampton Community Church, have been left devastated after fire tore through two sheds in the grounds, nearly setting alight the main school buildings.

Thousands of pounds-worth of sporting equipment has gone up in flames, which is a double blow for pupils at Kings Primary School in Quob Lane as the gear had only just been replaced following a theft two months ago.

A police investigation is under way into the fire after it became clear the blaze was started deliberately.

Vandals smashed their way through a wooden fence panel to gain access to the school before tearing open the shed doors and ransacking dozens of fluorescent tube lights that were stored inside.

Fire crews who tackled the blaze say the school is lucky still to be standing as the fire had started spreading to the rest of the school through two classroom windows when they arrived.

David Adcock, chairman of the school's governors, said: "There are young people who hang around the buildings and we have had some problems with vandalism in the past.

"We carried out a review of what should be done to make the school more secure and we also started securing the school gates with chains to make access harder.

"Up until now we had decided to stop short of installing CCTV but it's certainly back on the agenda now.

"As to next week, the latest news I have is that we should be open again for the end of half-term, but obviously the children's safety is the most important thing.

"We are still waiting for Health and Safety to inspect the school and we are also due to have loss adjusters in to assess the damage before a final decision will be made."

However, not all parents think it is random vandalism by youngsters.

Angela Slater, whose daughter Joanna attends the Church of England school, feels the fire is an attack on the Christian faith.

Mrs Slater, of St Catherine's Road, Bitterne Park, said: "We feel it is a disgrace. It's an attack on the Christian community of Southampton as a whole.

"We pay good money to enable our daughter to attend the school and then vandals just come along and ruin it."

A spokesman for the police said: "After carrying out further inquiries it does look as though the fire was the act of arsonists."

Anyone with any information should contact PC Mark Carter, who is leading the investigation, at Hedge End police station via the 0845 045 4545 number or use the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.