Up to 20 swimming pools in Fife have been closed for safety checks after a group of young swimmers suffered electric shocks.

An investigation is continuing into the cause of last week's incident at Madras College in St Andrews.

A formal order has been made closing the local authority run pool until its electrical system is refurbished.

As a precaution, other school pools used by community groups are undergoing checks to ensure there is no risk of the incident recurring.

Pools closed

Balwearie High School St Andrews High School Kirkland High School Glenwood High School Glenrothes High School Buckhaven High School Inverkeithing High School Dunfermline High School Woodmill High School Beath High School Queen Anne High School St Columba's High School Robert Henryson School Madras High School, Kilrymont Road PE Block; South St, swimming pool only Bell Baxter High School Waid Academy

The chairwoman of Fife Council's children's committee, Helen Law, said: "We are still waiting for the final report onthe outcome of investigations at Madras.

"Although no problems have been reported at other similar swimming pools and we don't believe there is any risk to public safety, we know that local people would prefer we commission a full set of safety checks across Fife.

"We were as appalled as everyone at the events of last week and are keen to satisfy ourselves that safety standards are high across our facilities.

"A team of electricians are already working on full assessments of each of the community swimming pools inparticular looking at under-floor heating systems at the poolsides."

Metal rail

Staff had to help pull the 13 primary school children from the Madras pool when the electric current passed through the water.

They had just finished swimming a length of the pool when they touched a metal safety rail.

Two 10-year-old girls received an electric shock and their hands became "stuck" to the rail.

They were treated at a local clinic and attended school the following day.

Electrical work had been taking place in the building earlier in the day.