YOUNGSTERS who were expecting to move to a new school building this week will havE lessons in the church hall next door, until extra work has been carried out.

Children arriving for the start of term at St Thomas's, Barrowford, were sent home again on Wednesday and told the school would be shut until drainage work had been completed.

It is now expected that lessons will be held in St Thomas's church hall from Monday and it is hoped the new school will be open for when the children return after the September holidays.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "The county council has not been directly involved in the planning and construction of the school.

"However, last week the county council was asked to advise about concerns raised by the school about drainage from the playing fields and surrounding grounds, which have not yet been completed.

"While the new school building is complete, the county council and the diocese have advised the governors that it would be inappropriate for children to be on the school site until further work has been undertaken on the grounds and surrounding area."

Parents have been informed and arrangements have been made for the school to operate in the adjacent church hall from Monday.