School closes following gas alert

The scene at Ballyholme Primary School

Several hundred children have had to leave their primary school in Bangor after a suspected gas leak.

The alarm was raised when contractors working on the building accidentally fractured the main gas pipe.

Within half an hour of lessons starting, 600 children had to get out of Ballyholme Primary School.

Fire and rescue workers were called to the school and the gas supply was switched off. Engineers from the gas company are dealing with the problem.

Classes were suspended for the day but are expected to resume on Wednesday.