PRIMARY school children have gained an extra week on holiday following delays in major improvement works.

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool , had been due to reopen today.

Letters have been sent to the families of all 215 pupils so that they can make alternative childcare arrangements.

It is hoped that the school will be able to open as usual next Monday.

Headteacher Amanda Baines said: "I fully appreciate the inconvenience that this will cause all our families and I apologise unreservedly for this. However, we have really been left with no choice.

"These long-awaited improvement works are very extensive and we have also encountered some unexpected issues as the work has progressed, largely due to the age of the building, which is 169 years old."

The improvement works which are costing about £200,000, include the installation of a replacement boiler and gas pipes, electrical rewiring, installation of a heating system and dampproofing.

They are being largely funded and managed by the Church of England's Durham Diocese.

During the period of extra closure, the school will be carrying out staff training at the Education Development Centre in Seaton Lane.