Youths in quad bikes have caused damage at this Carrickfergus school

More than �1m was spent last year in efforts to protect Northern Ireland's schools from attack.

The appeal came as the Northern Eastern Education and Library Board revealed that it has just paid �170,000 on a security fence around Carrickfergus College and Carrickfergus Grammar School in County Antrim.

It was completed just in time for the school holidays.

The grounds have been targeted by youths on quad bikes and scramblers who terrorise pupils and tear up the pitches.

A board spokesman said it would be better to spend the money on education within the school rather than protecting the grounds.

The cost of the fence is a large portion of the North Eastern Board's budget which allows around �230,000 a year for security measures.

The South Eastern board spent �354,000 last year, whilst the Southern board spent �320,000. The Belfast board spent �150,000 on protective measures.

Mr Irwin said the money spent on vandalism was a waste

Ken Irwin, principal of Carrickfergus Grammar said: "If the money was given to our school, we could have increased the staff.

"We could have got more mobiles and more accommodation. It seems a waste of money and it is money going to no good use."

Police have appealed to anyone living near schools to report any vandalism.

Paul Moore, NEELB Security Officer, said that there were very few people in school over the summer to watch the premises.

"We are appealing to neighbours to keep an eye on the school and let the PSNI know if they see anything suspicious," he said.