ALMOST 90 pupils from Canon Burrows have been forced to set up temporary home in Waterloo Primary after their classrooms began collapsing.

Youngsters and staff from the nursery and both reception classes were moved out after part of the Ashton school had to be bulldozed.

Serious subsidence was found in three classrooms during refurbishment work over the summer. The buildings could not be underpinned and had to be demolished.

Eighty-six pupils from the Oldham Road school are being taught in spare classrooms at nearby Waterloo until repairs are completed.

Canon Burrows headteacher, Elaine Horridge, said: "The subsidence was so bad we were left with no alternative but to knock the classrooms down. I want to thank Waterloo for helping the move go smoothly and the support shown by staff from both schools. We estimate the repiars could take approximately six months."

Waterloo headteacher Lesley Ironmonger said: "It’s about teamwork. We were happy to step up to the plate and lend a helping hand. I like to think it’s the children we’re here for first and foremost. I’d hope someone else would do the same for us if we suffered a crisis.  We had a spare classroom used by the after-school club and the education department have installed a mobile classroom on site.  I have a good working relationship with Mrs Horridge and we liaise closely. The pupils are being taught separately but they are mixing at lunchtimes and making new friends.

"They can stay here without a problem until the new classrooms are built."