Firefighters tackling the Chase Terrace High School blaze

David Kidney, the Labour MP for Stafford, has now written to the fire service to see what can be done to reduce the problem.

Government statistics show the number of vehicles set on fire has almost doubled since 1997, from more than 650 to nearly 1,200.

School fires in Staffordshire totalled three in 1997, but that figure has now risen to a reported 33 arson attacks.

Staffordshire Fire Service said it was already working at cutting the number of incidents.

'Alleviate the problem'

Assistant divisional officer Dave Bott says school fires are on the rise at a worrying level.

"We have had two very large fires over the last 12 months, and we have also had several smaller fires involving mobile classrooms," he said.

"We are looking at ways we can alleviate the problem, giving headteachers and governors some guidelines to tighten up on security and access."

Mr Bott said schools were also being advised on the possibility of installing sprinkler systems.

Last year, arsonists struck at Blessed William Howard Catholic High School in Stafford, Chasetown High School and Chase Terrace High School, both of which are in Burntwood.