HEAVY rain caused floods in parts of Ramsbottom, forcing a school to close after nine classrooms were left inches deep in water.

Peel Brow Primary School suffered tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage during Monday night’s storm, as rainwater swept through several rooms, including an ICT suite.

Elsewhere, six homes in Summerseat were flooded, and residents had to use sandbags to stem the tide.

The primary school in Fir Street was forced to close for Easter on Tuesday, instead of Thursday as planned, following the devastation. It could be shut for more than three weeks

A message published on the school’s website on Tuesday read: “The full school are working relentlessly to clean up and salvage what they can.”

Headteacher Danny Mellor said: “Nine rooms have been completely flooded with a couple of inches of water in each.

“When we arrived first thing in the morning, we didn’t know where it had come from, but after having it assessed we knew it was just rainwater.

“It’s been a disaster for everyone involved. We’re really gutted that we can’t carry on until Easter because we had lots of end-of-term activities planned for the children, which now can’t go ahead.”

Due to health and safety regulations, Mr Mellor is unsure whether the school will be repaired in time ready for when the children are due to return on April 20.

The local authority emergency team attended on Tuesday morning and informed staff that the school had to close until after Easter for the clean-up operation to take place.

Carpets, tiles and potentially the wooden hall floor will need to be replaced.

“We aren’t sure whether everything will get sorted out and put right before the children are due to come back,” added Mr Mellor.

“The school will be assessed again next week but if, for any reason, the children can’t return to the school we will find alternative accommodation.”

Part of the message to parents published on the website also read: “At this stage we don't know the full extent of the damage or whether the drains require replacement etc.

“As such we can't confirm how long it will take to get the school back to normal. We will keep you posted throughout the Easter holidays via this website.

“We recognise an unplanned closure can cause problems for childcare. As you will appreciate the wellbeing and education of the children is our upmost concern."