Experts are looking into a mysterious deep hole that appeared without warning yesterday on the playing field at a Broadstairs primary school

Recent heavy rainfall is thought to be behind the sudden opening up of the well-type hole on the main field at St Peter-in-Thanet Church of England Junior School in Grange Road.

No pupils were on the grounds at the time and the area was immediately secured with warning notices erected.

Staff, pupils, their families and governors have been informed and the school is waiting for expert analysis of the hole, thought to be around 50ft deep.

Head teacher Sharon Irvine said: “Strict instructions were given to staff and pupils straight away and we acted to secure the area. There is no access to the field at the moment.

“We believe it is a type of narrow well that was opened up due to the spell of intense rain we have experienced for many weeks.

Mrs Irvine said that advice is coming from the Diocese as St Peter’s is a Church of England school, and from Kent Property Services.

She added: “We will wait until we receive their professional recommendations about the hole before we make any further statement.”