A primary school has reopened after a large sinkhole appeared outside.

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

Pupils were invited back into school today, but work is still being carried out on the road.

A spokesman for Southern Water said: “The burst pipe was repaired and all customers were back in supply yesterday afternoon.

“The burst pipe damaged the road and a section of King Street remains closed while we complete the reinstatement.

“We are currently prepping the area ahead of tarmacking on Monday morning. We hope to reopen the road probably around Monday lunchtime.”

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

Meanwhile, parents received a message 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.

The road is expected to be closed until October 23.