Burst pipes close South Shropshire Schools

Schools in south Shropshire were forced to close today as burst water pipes flooded canteens and classrooms in the latest freeze.

Church Preen Primary School, near Church Stretton, was closed today because of a broken boiler, as was Newcastle School, near Clun. The reception class at Ludlow Infant School was also shut after it flooded when pipes in the toilets burst after freezing then thawing.

Val Matthews, headteacher at Ludlow Infant School said: "The reception class is closed and we haven't been able to open for the 60 children in it.

"A pipe burst last Tuesday but because everywhere was closed we couldn't get hold of any dehumidifiers so everywhere is still soaking wet. Hopefully, we are going to get them in today."

Sarah Talbot, business manager at Newcastle School, said: "We've got no heating or water. We had a burst pipe on December 23 and it poured mains water all over the boiler. It will ne-ed a complete boiler refit."

It comes after almost 200 homes in a Shropshire village were left without water when two mains in the area burst. Stores in Highley, near Bridgnorth, sold out of bottles of water as villagers rushed to stock up until supplies were restored.

The first pipe to go was a six-inch main which burst at about 5am yesterday. Then a smaller main in the village went at about 9.30am.

Severn Trent Water spokeswoman Rachel Blackman said yesterday: "The first burst left 87 homes without water and engineers were still working at the scene yesterday afternoon in an attempt to restore supplies.

"The second main left almost 90 houses without water but our engineers were able to repair that and get the customers back online during the morning."

Simon Thomas, manager at the Co-op store in High Street, said: "The shelves were full when I opened at 7am and by 8am they were empty of water.

"I must have sold 250 bottles ranging from 1.5 litres to six litres. One lady spent £15 on water. She actually cleared me out of one size."

In Mid Wales, staff at Welshpool High School were facing a race against time to open in time for the new term tomorrow after flooding to the canteen and classrooms.

By Hannah Costigan and Lisa Rowley