Hundreds of pupils have been sent home from school because of a contaminated water supply.

The head teacher of Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School in Canterbury has been forced to close the site.

Paul Pollard told how due to ongoing water main works in nearby New Dover Road, the school has a contaminated supply.

In a letter sent to parents, he wrote: "For health and safety reasons, it is not possible to keep the school open in these circumstances. At midday today the school will close.

"Your child will, where possible, contact you and ask for you to send them a text message confirming that you are happy for them to leave and make their own way home.

"Those students eligible for free school meals will be offered a packed lunch to take with them.

"Your child’s period six teacher will set work for them via Teams.

"If you need your child to remain in school, there will be supervision available until the end of the normal school day.

"Food will be available for those remaining in school.

"We are in the process of rectifying the issue and will email to update you accordingly, alongside updating our website and Facebook page.

"Please accept our apologies for this disruption, which is sadly beyond our control."

The school is understood to have a student roll of about 1,200 - with about 300 sixth form pupils.

More than 1,000 pupils were sent home on Wednesday from the neighbouring St Anselm's School because it had no running water.

A burst water main cut off the supply. This was restored this morning and the school reopened today.