A FOURTH person has been charged in connection with the brutal hammer attack at Ridgeway School.

The 18-year-old is due to appear in court today and has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Fifteen-year-old Henry Webster, pictured, was attacked with a clawhammer in the school grounds on January 11, and suffered serious head injuries.

Three youths, aged 17, 15, and 14 appeared in court on Monday charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. The eldest has been remanded in custody and the younger two have been bailed until all three appear before Swindon Youth Court on February 19.

The police officer leading the operation to find the culprits has said Henry is lucky to be alive - and has warned that the investigation is far from over.

Det Sgt Mark Wilkinson of Swindon CID said: "We are still following up leads and I can say with confidence that we are still working hard on this.

"We are still keen to hear from anyone with information about the incident, and will treat all calls in the strictest confidence."

Anyone with information can call the Operation Dakota incident room on 0845 408 7000.

The news about the arrests has come on the day it can be revealed that a planning application to build a fence round the school has been submitted to Swindon Council.

Ridgeway is the only school in the borough of Swindon without a fence and now a bid to build a 3m high welded steel mesh security fence is being made.

The school's headteacher Steve Colledge has told already parents that plans for a fence and CCTV were being drawn up.

The Adver reported last week that South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove had met education secretary Alan Johnson, who had pledged to try to find money for security measures.

He was said to have taken a "personal interest" in getting a perimeter fence as quickly as possible.

Mrs Snelgrove said yesterday: "I am calling on Swindon Council to do their utmost.

"It is crucial this gets through as soon as possible.

"I am pleased that the school has acted so quickly and I will be giving all the details to Alan Johnson when I next see him."