TWO teenage boys have been arrested in connection with a fire at Needham Market middle school.The youngsters, aged 14 and 15, have been charged with arson following a blaze that wrecked an area of decking at the school.

TWO teenage boys have been arrested in connection with a fire at Needham Market middle school.

The youngsters, aged 14 and 15, have been charged with arson following a blaze that wrecked an area of decking at the school.

A 14-year-old boy has been bailed to appear at Stowmarket police station on September 28, while a 15-year-old boy will answer bail on September 27. Both are from Needham Market.

Their arrest follows a blaze near to the playing field that came perilously close to spreading to the school building.

Fire crews spent around 40 minutes dousing the blaze, which was reported at around 5pm on August 25.

At least £1,000 of damage was caused in the incident that happened while the premises were empty during the summer holidays.

The fire is the latest in a series of attacks to blight the school, which has seen cricket nets, fencing, windows and doors vandalised

New closed circuit television cameras were recently installed to monitor visitors to the reception area.

Mrs Hull said: "In recent months, we've received a large increase in the amount of petty vandalism.

"Repairing the damage takes time, money and energy away from our most important job of education."

She added people trespassing on the property had been causing all sorts of problems, by leaving litter, broken glass, dog mess and even hitting golf balls at the school building.

The only current public right away across the field is along the bridleway running from The Drift to The Causeway, she added.