CHILDREN whose school was shut because it was in danger of collapsing have finally started their school year.

Pupils at Bolton Parish School are being taken to and from their new school - the former Longsight Primary School building in Harwood - by coach each morning and afternoon.

Council bosses closed the original site in Kestor Street earlier this month because of fears that subsidence and drainage problems would cause the playground fall more than 30 feet into a river.

The site has suffered over the years from minor subsidence and drainage problems, which have been closely monitored by the council.

Following the extremely wet weather in August, tests were carried out on the site which showed that the school playing fields were also at risk from subsidence.

In-depth surveys are due to be carried out and the council hopes to be able to make a decision about the school's future within two months.

Bolton Parish's 220 pupils and 12 teaching staff transferred to the Hough Fold Road site yesterday for the start of term - which has been delayed for two weeks.

Around 50 people, including contract workers and school staff, have spent the last two weeks preparing the site, which closed in May because of falling pupil numbers at Longsight Primary School, for the children.

work included cleaning, painting, tests on electrics and some general maintenance.

All the teaching equipment and furniture has been transferred from the Kestor Street site to the new building, where Bolton Parish will remain until the end of the school year.

Headteacher Chris Jones, who has worked at the Kestor Street site for 11 years, said: "I travelled from the old site with the children this morning and I had so many thank yous from parents for all the hard work that has been put in by staff. It is nice to know that we are appreciated.

"We had no idea how serious the problem was at the other school and it is very sad to have to leave there, but this is a bigger site and the children are excited about the change."

Chair of governors John Wallington said: "Everyone has worked wonders to get this site ready in time. All the staff have been in at weekends sorting things out.

"Moving here was definitely the best option available as it means we can keep the school together and hopefully being here for a year will help settle the children after all the upheaval."

Year Six pupil Selina Coles, aged 11, said: "It is exciting coming to school on a bus and this school is much better and bigger. But it is quite sad that we won't be going back to the old school."

Nursery children are due to start back next week and an open day is being held for parents on October 21.