THOUSANDS of pounds' worth of water damage was caused after thieves stole protective lead sheeting from the roof of a Cotswold school.

The theft at Bourton on the Water Primary Academy was discovered after a heavy rainfall on Tuesday, November 8, when water flooded into the building, damaging a classroom, two corridors and a disabled toilet.

The damage has forced the school, which has 241 pupils, to set up a temporary classroom in the canteen, while meals are for now being taken in the main Hall.

Head John Jones said: "They took the lead from the roof at the back of the building and it wasn't until the heavy rain on Tuesday that we found out when the water started coming in..

"We opened late on Wednesday at 10am and because we set up the classroom in the canteen, we have managed to carry on but obviously it's not ideal.

"We're working closely with the loss adjuster, but it's likely to end up costing six figures to put this right.

"This is a friendly community school so it's a real shame when something like this happens. We are teaching our children to be members of the community so it's upsetting that some people behave like this."

The school recently received a Good rating following an Ofsted inspection, with praise for its "strong and purposeful leadership, clear vision and an absolute belief that every child must receive the very best education".

The theft took place during the half-term break, between Sunday, October 30, and Monday, November 7.

Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the School Hill area of Bourton in the Water during that time should call Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 124 of November 8.

Alternatively, report online at www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact-us/report-a-crime-or-incident/ or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.