HALF-term holiday could stretch to three weeks for pupils at a Hampshire school put out of action by recent storms.

Pupils were unable to return to their desks at Stoke Park Infants School, Bishopstoke, after the October break because monsoon weather conditions flooded the whole of the ground floor.

The school is at the foot of the Forestry Commission's giant Stoke Park Woods, through which the weekend storm raged.

Since Monday the mopping up operation, including ripping up storm-damaged carpets, has continued while staff have been busy trying to get the school back to normal.

Headteacher Norma Walsh praised Hampshire County Council for stepping in very quickly and for maintenance workers who have been in the building since the damage was discovered.

The flooding affected the whole of the ground floor which includes three classrooms and the staff and drama rooms.

Fortunately none of the pupils' work was lost. A county council spokeswoman said they were not sure when the school would re-open but it could be the week after next before the 269 pupils were back behind their desks.