The four schools, Portway, Monks Parks, Henbury and Bedminster Down are costing �120m. Work has already started on all four schools.

Kevin Pearson, Avon Fire & Rescue service's chief officer, says lives are at risk because of a lack of fire prevention methods.

"This is about children potentially losing their lives," he said.

"I do not want to be in a position where myself and my firefighters are pulling out the bodies of dead children from burnt-down schools.

"We know by putting sprinklers into schools we can stop that happening."

Councillor John Bees from Bristol City Council said: "It would be very expensive - more than �200,000 per school.

"Locally we've had a very low risk, our insurers are telling us, and we've taken other professional advice other than the fire authority. What our officers are saying is this is just too expensive."