EARLY years school children are enjoying an extended half-term break after an overnight pipe burst.

The caretaker at Delves Lane Infants School, in Consett, County Durham, found water slopping round several classrooms on opening the premises today.

Notification was given to parents that the nursery and infants section of the school, which shares the site with Delves Lane Juniors, was closed yesterday.

But on further examination of the damage it was decided to close the school early for half-term,which is next week.

It means the 120 nursery and infants years children will not have to report back for lessons until Monday November 2.

Head teacher Karen Holden said: "It must have happened overnight because we were here late last night with a parents’ evening and everything was fine when we left.

"But the caretaker came across it this morning and it’s been quite severe with water across three classrooms.

"The county council has sent a team in to help drain the water and dehumidify the classrooms affected, but it will take a few days and I think we may have struggled to have the school open if it had not been half-term holiday next week."

The junior section of the school is unaffected and will close for half-term after lessons on Friday.