A primary school has been forced to close after a large sinkhole appeared outside its gates.

St Margaret’s at Troy Town school in Rochester is shut today (October 17) due to a burst pipe.

Pictures showed water gushing out of the large hole into the street in King Street. It has since been cordoned off while work is carried out to fix the issue.

Meanwhile, parents received a message this morning advising them not to bring their children in as “the school site is currently unsafe”.

One mum was walking to King Street to drop her youngsters off at breakfast club when she saw the message just before 8am.

Eleisha George, whose children are aged five and eight, told KentOnline: “I understand the school is closed as it’s not safe as there’s a sinkhole right by the school gates.”

The message to parents read: “Unfortunately, directly outside of school on King Street there is a burst water main and sinkhole.

“King Street is not safe for children and families to access the school site.”

It’s understood Southern Water advised that water to the school site had to be turned off immediately.

The communication added: “As such we are closing the school this morning as we have no water and the school site is currently unsafe.”

The school website says the school will be closed today and work would be uploaded online for children.

Southern Water has been approached for comment.