Search to sniff out school smell

Experts are trying to track down the cause of a petro-chemical smell at a Northumberland village school.

Meanwhile the children at Embleton First School are starting their new term in the village hall.

The strange petro-chemical smell at the school has been there, on and off, for 18 months to two years, but the source has not been traced.

Towards the end of the summer term, fire brigade investigators convinced the governors the school should be evacuated.

The 43 pupils will start lessons in the nearby Creighton Hall on Monday and they could be displaced for as long as two months.

'Safety paramount'

Officers from Northumberland County Council and Alnwick District Council environmental health department are investigating the matter.

They are being assisted by the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water.

A letter has been sent to all parents advising them of the change in circumstances, and no pupils will be admitted onto the school site at the beginning of term.

Head teacher Janet Thompson said: "The safety of our pupils is paramount, which is why we have taken the decision not to re-open the school."