Lincolnshire schools shut for clean up after Storm Babet floods

A community has rallied round to help two Lincolnshire schools damaged by flooding.

Heighington Millfield Primary Academy was inundated with 4in (10cm) of water and the neighbouring preschool was also badly hit during Storm Babet.

The school said it would be forced to close next week, with all 250 pupils set to be home-schooled.

More than £1,200 has been raised online, while parents and staff have worked to salvage what they can.

Louise Geoghean, manager of Heighington Preschool - which has been closed since Monday - said she was "deeply touched" by the support to replace the damaged equipment.

She said the outdoor classroom had "looked like it had a river running through it", although the water did not get into the building.

"We have lost all our outdoor toys, bookshelves that stored them, sheds that stored all the children's wellingtons and puddle suits," she said.

"We have done two tip runs already and have another one to do."

Despite efforts to remove books, stationery, teaching resources, the primary school will remain closed to students after the half-term break.

Headteacher John Beaven said staff were looking at alternative arrangements to avoid the need to continue home schooling beyond next week.

"We have a great community and great parents and we are all pulling together," he said.

"We have already told our parents we will be closed next week and are looking for a short-term solution."

Elsewhere in the village, Jean and Kevin Hart have been tidying up after their home of 40 years was flooded.

Mrs Hart said she wanted to "run away" when they found water pouring into their house during the night but that the community had rallied round to support them.

"People from the pub even turned up with a hot dinner for us," she said.

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