The clean up work is still ongoing

The roof of Ladypool Primary School in Sparkbrook was badly damaged when an ornate tower was brought down upon it in the strong winds.

Its 500 pupils were forced to delay their new term by a week when the huge clean-up operation overran.

July's storm damaged buildings and cars, uprooted trees and took roofs off homes causing an estimated �25m damage.

The Victorian Grade II-listed school, in Stratford Road, had only just had its roof repaired when the tornado struck.

Break-ins

Head teacher Alan Tumber said the clean-up operation had been a huge task.

The school was left without electricity and a security system, and lost computers and teaching equipment during several break-ins.

Mr Tumber said: "The first step when the tower came down was to make the area safe.

"Once that was done we put screens around the affected area.

"Everything was covered in a six-inch layer of dust. It is cleaning everything which has taken up all of our time."

One classroom will not be able to used for about a year, he added.

Engineers are still carrying out checks in the affected areas.

The children were on holiday when the tornado brought the tower crashing down, but painters and a site manager were in the building.

One woman was working in the room where the tower landed but managed to get out unscathed.

"The children are quite excited to be back at school.