Update: Diss High School explains decision to shut following water shortage
Anglian Water - Credit: PA
A school has defended its decision to close just after the start of the day because of problems with running water.
Properties in the north east area of Diss were left without water this morning (Tuesday) after a burst to a six-inch main on Walcot Green.
Diss High closed its doors as a result of the problem shortly after children had arrived, and buses returned to take them home.
Head Jan Hunt said the building had been without water since 6am, but a decision to close had not been taken as staff had been 'optimistic' it could be resolved by the time school began at 9am.
Dr Hunt added: 'Unfortunately, Anglian Water had not resolved the problem and could not give a time-scale for completion.
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'In the interests of health and hygiene, it was impossible for the school to stay open.
'It is always difficult to decide when to close a school. We could have made a knee-jerk reaction at 6am only to find the problem was quickly resolved.'
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She added that the decision could not have been taken before children arrived as the school had been waiting for further information from Anglian Water.
Pupils were given access to telephones to contact parents and carers, and the school was closed for the remainder of the day.
It is thought more than 100 homes were affected by the problem with either a complete loss of water or low water pressure.
A spokesman for Anglian Water said that the majority of homes were reconnected by about 9.45am, with a further 18 re-connected a few hours later.
He added: 'We're very sorry for the inconvenience and disruption and thank customers for their patience.'
