FIRE sprinklers should be fitted to Otley's newly extended primary schools, says a city councillor.

Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Wharfedale) wants to see sprinklers fitted to Ashfield Infants, All Saints Infants and Westgate Infants when they reopen as primary schools in September next year.

But Education Leeds, the education arm of Leeds City Council, says the extensions are relatively small and will not require sprinkler systems.

Coun Kirkland said sprinklers were not costly but did save lives and property.

"I've always feared that Leeds would make a large capital gain from disposing of the surplus schools and put the bare minimum back into Otley and keep the rest of the money in the city coffers.

"I want the best possible education in the best and safest school buildings delivered on time and I will keep fighting for fair shares for Otley."

In a letter to Coun Kirkland, Geoff Newsome, from Education Leeds, said only relatively small extension work is proposed to the schools.

"The installation costs, because most of the installation would be in existing buildings, would therefore be somewhat prohibitive and have not been budgeted for."