A SCHOOL was yesterday forced to close some of its classrooms because they were still affected by flooding after Friday's torrential rainstorm.

Staff and volunteers at St Cuthbert's in Darwen had battled for more than two hours as floodwater engulfed the building.

They were in the school on St Alban's Road, setting up stalls for the summer fair to be held the next day, when water poured in at the height of the torrential rainstorm.

Staff fought a losing battle as they tried to mop and sweep up the water, which gushed in faster than they could cope.

The flooding, the first staff can remember in more than 10 years, left the library, two classrooms, part of the hall and some corridors knee-deep in water.

Years 5 and 6 were told to stay at home yesterday as their classrooms were at least four inches deep in water on Friday night.

It meant the school fair had to be cancelled for this year, although the Rose Queen crowning, which had also been due to take place on Saturday, was able to go ahead in St Cuthbert's Church on Sunday.

Headteacher Janet Grimes said it was fortunate staff had been at the school when the flooding started, or the damage could have been far worse.

"Because it was the summer fair, I was here finishing off and we had a lot of volunteers setting up stalls. In many ways we were very lucky.

"We were fighting to keep out the water but as fast as we were sweeping, it was coming in. We just couldn't keep up with it."

Mrs Grimes said staff were able to lift a lot of equipment from off the floor, including books which had been stacked in boxes while building work was carried out. "I am just very glad that we were on the premises," she said. "We have been having building work done and when the water came in, it brought all the mud with it.

"Because we were there, we were able to lift up all the books so none was damaged.

"We would have lost a whole section of the library.

"We are indebted to the army of volunteers who were able to help us clear up as best we could."

Proud fourteen-year-old Hailey Sharples was crowned Rose Queen at the service on Sunday.

St Cuthbert's Church member Julie Byron said: "It is such a shame for the school.

"The fair was organised and the stalls were being set up. People worked on clearing up most of the weekend and had to take up the carpets. It was terrible."

The cost of the damage is not yet known but it is expected to be covered by insurance.