Fires in London's schools, nurseries and colleges cost the capital more than £20 million every year, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB).

Figures released by the brigade show there was a fire every three days in the capital’s educational buildings in 2011, the equivalent of one fire for nearly every school day.

Fire chiefs said the statistics are a "stark reminder" that sprinklers need to be installed in educational institutions.

Last year's incidents included 36 arson attacks and 113 accidental fires.

Nationally every year, one in eight schools suffers a serious arson attack and the cost of school fires is around £65 million, with London accounting for over a third of that figure, the LFB said.

Last year, the organisation said close to two-thirds of new or refurbished schools planned to be built in the capital are still not being constructed with potentially life-saving sprinklers installed, despite government guidelines recommending that, in most cases, they should be fitted.

Fires not only mean huge financial cost but disruption to students, teachers and families, and the wider community, the brigade said.

Susan Hall, chair of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s Community Safety Committee, said: "The number and regularity of school fires we attend is yet more evidence, if any were needed, that builders, developers, local authorities, governing bodies and other private providers must stop ignoring the huge benefits of sprinklers.

"As well as making sure the children in their care are protected, those responsible for our schools should recognise that sprinklers can dramatically reduce damage by stopping fires from spreading so quickly. This would help to protect the significant amount of public money invested in our school buildings."

Last year, the LFB published new guidance encouraging builders and developers to install sprinklers in schools, residential care homes, social housing and commercial premises.