School remains closed after solar panel fire

A primary school will remain closed until Thursday following a fire which started in solar panels on the roof.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said the blaze began just before 14:00 BST at Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington on Saturday.

No-one was injured and Northumberland County Council said the damage was "not as significant as first thought".

The local authority said the school would remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday to allow remedial works and additional health and safety checks.

NFRS said five crews were sent to the scene where the solar panels on the west side of the building were ablaze.

A council spokesperson said: "School staff have worked hard alongside structural and electrical engineers to understand the extent of the damage caused by the fire."

They added parents and carers would be informed of the next steps.