Arsonists have set fire to a Staffordshire school in the third such attack in the county in four months.

More than 20 firefighters were required to tackle the fire at Blessed William Howard Catholic High School in Stafford.

The fire, which destroyed four mobile classrooms, was started at about 0430 GMT on Monday.

It follows two other arson attacks at Chasetown High School and at Chase Terrace High School, both of which are in Burntwood.

�15m damage

A gym was burnt down at Chasetown High on 7 December and, in August, damage estimated at �15m was caused at Chase Terrace High.

Two crews from Stafford were the first on the scene of Monday's fire.

They called for immediate back up to tackle two fires that had been started at the school and were assisted by crews from Eccleshall and Gnosall.

Firefighters later launched a salvage operation to try to rescue as much equipment, and as many books, as possible.

Police have cordoned off the area and are treating the attack as a major incident.