Six hundred children have been without lessons for a week since their school's gas supply was cut off.

Abbey Primary School in the Belgrave area has been without heating since a burst water main caused flooding in a gas main on Tuesday, 3 December.

Five hundred other properties also remain without a supply.

Nearly 600 children have been told to stay at home because there is no way of providing heating.

Electric heaters

Gas firm Transco has more than 100 engineers fixing the problem.

The use of electric heaters has allowed 50 members of staff to work in the building.

Pupils were due to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid last week, but the celebration had to be postponed.

The Christmas nativity play rehearsals are well behind schedule.

The gas has been reconnected to the school.

But the heating system needs testing by council engineers before the children are allowed back.

The school should reopen tomorrow once the meter has been installed and checked.

Stephanie Van-Rosse, Transco

There have also been power cuts in the Belgrave area caused by an over-use of electric heaters.

Stephanie Van-Rosse is from Transco, "We've got 1,100 properties back on with 500 still off.

"About 100 people are working on restoring supplies and will continue working over the next few days.

"We were very successful at getting people on over the weekend.

Compensation claims

"We have already pumped 120,000 gallons of water out of the gas system and are still pumping."

Residents affected by the cuts may be eligible to compensation according to Transco.

Local residents are being asked to keep an eye on elderly or disabled neighbours to make sure they do not suffer exposure to the cold.