A major electrical problem delayed the start of the school term in Balham, but rumours a sinkhole could be to blame have been quickly scotched.

Teachers at Oak Lodge School for deaf children, in Nightingale Lane, Balham, were thought to have been preparing yesterday to open for the new term when something went wrong and forced a rapid rethink.

The school's headteacher told Wandsworth Council there were leaking water pipes under the floorboards that had to be repaired. 

A council spokesman said: "Yesterday they discovered mains cables running through the large ducts that carry the water pipes, so they had to switch off the electricity in order to relocate the cables to make them safe. 

"This is due to be completed today and the school is scheduled to re-open as normal tomorrow."

A notice appeared on Oak Lodge’s website yesterday evening saying “due to unforeseen emergency building works” the school would be closed today, which was supposed to be children’s first day back after the summer holidays.

The school's telephone number was temporarily out of order when the Wandsworth Guardian called this morning. 

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