A SCHOOL caretaker could have been blown up after vandals left a science laboratory's gas taps on, police say.

Now Trevethin Community School may be forced to pay out £30,000 for extra security cameras in a bid to stop attacks on its building.

The vandals entered the school through a window in the science lab and ransacked the laboratory, risking an explosion and chemical fire.

Caretaker Ray Powell narrowly avoided injury when he opened the school's ground floor laboratory on Friday morning to a strong smell of gas - after the taps had been left on by the vandals overnight .

Police told the Argus that an explosion could easily have been triggered as automatic lights in the laboratory sparked to life. And there was an added danger with chemicals stored in an upstairs room.

Relieved headteacher Royston Toon said the break-in - the latest in a string of recent acts of vandalism - had prompted him to rethink security at the school.

He said: "We have CCTV cameras on site, but obviously not enough, so we are looking at putting more in. There is a right-of-way through the back of the school which causes problems, so we are looking at security to deal with that."

He estimated the cost of installing extra cameras at around £30,000, but feared it was necessary after the latest incident and two attacks of vandalism over the summer holidays when around 85 panes of glass were smashed.

He added: "I believe it is the same people targeting us again and again. We are trying to find the perpetrators, but the police have got suspects.

"I would ask families to help us to be vigilant and report anybody trespassing on the school grounds."

Mike de Val, director of education at Torfaen county borough council, said: "I'm relieved that this incident did not result in serious injury and would call on the local community to give the police as much support as they can in tackling this dangerous criminal behaviour. The council is giving the school every assistance in dealing with the problem. Trevethin Community School is achieving notable success and it is important that the school is able to continue the good work it is doing, unhindered by a destructive minority."

Police believe the incident occurred between 5.50pm on Thursday evening and 7.30am Friday morning.

Trevethin community officer Len Oliver said the intruders left "signs of a search". Anyone with information is asked to contact Pontypool police on 01495 764711.