Staff and pupils will not be returning to an Essex school until the end of January.

Available for over a year

Students and staff at the King Edmund School in Rochford have been told they won't return to school at the beginning of January because work to remove asbestos on the site has been delayed. The Department for Education said further excavation is required but the icy weather we experienced last week meant the completion was put back, meaning the return date is likely to be 23 January instead. A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Although works to remove contaminated rubble from the site were expected to be completed by the end of the year, further excavation is required and the icy weather conditions mean the completion of removal works and subsequent testing has been delayed. “We are continuing to push for the works to be completed as quickly as possible. We are working with the school, other local schools and academy trusts, and Essex County Council on the education offer for the first few weeks of term, ensuring as many pupils as possible benefit from face to face learning.” BBC Essex's Sonia Watson spoke to Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, Mark Francois.