The threat to close a school has been averted after its neighbour promised to stop lighting bonfires.

Governors had threatened to shut Eastchurch Church of England Primary School at short notice after a series of late-night fires left deposits on cars and playing fields.

They claimed thick black smoke billowing across the road over the past 18 months could be a danger to the 200 children who attend the school.

A spokesman for Kent County Council, which funds the school, confirmed: “The school has raised concerns with us about waste being burned nearby and we have reported this to the appropriate authorities. If it is dangerous there could be a potential risk to pupils.

“As a short-term measure we would recommend keeping children indoors and shutting classroom windows. Closing the school would not be automatic. It depends when the fires take place and what level of contamination there is.

“We are working with the school and other agencies to assess the situation and find out if there has been any illegal disposal of waste.”

The fires were on building land next to the village hall opposite the school in Warden Road and have been reported to police, the fire service and Swale council’s environment department.

A spokesman for Swale said: “We are aware of complaints about bonfires in the area and have investigated them alongside police and the Environment Agency.

“We have spoken to the landowner who has assured us no more waste would be burnt and the residue has been removed from the site. If anyone witnesses further bonfires they can report them to us or the police.”

Governing body chairman Andy Booth warned that action could still be necessary. “Should these fires continue the governors would be obliged to contemplate closing the school to the children and staff at very short notice,” he said.

“This is something we are not taking lightly. But all the time there is potential risk to health, we have no option but to consider it.”

He admitted a closure would cause “huge logistical problems” for the parents, staff and children aged between four and 11.