Heavy rain damages school canteen after thieves steal roof lead

Metal thieves stripped lead from a school roof over the Christmas Holidays.

The thieves struck Altwood School, taking the lead from the single-storey roof of its canteen.

Headteacher Neil Dimbleby described the crime as 'thoughtless', saying the canteen had recently been refurbished.

The theft left the canteen's ceiling vulnerable to rainwater.

"It will run into the £5,000 mark to get it sorted, it's a nightmare. From something that was spick and span," said Mr Dimbleby, who joined the school in September.

"What they've got out of it isn't worth anything near the damage they've caused."

Although insurance will cover the cost of repairs, Mr Dimbleby said refurbishing the roof will cause disruption in the school in Altwood Road, as a new temporary canteen will need to be found.