HUNDREDS of parents had to make alternative arrangements for their children after their Wirral school was forced to close due to a serious power outage.

More than 500 pupils were given two days off after Liscard Primary School was faced with an electrical fault deemed to pose “serious health and safety risks” was discovered last Wednesday.

A total of 543 pupils from reception through to Year 5 were forced to take Thursday and Friday off, while contingency measures were put in place for Year 6 pupils to avoid disruption to their SATS preparation.

Cold lunches were provided for youngsters by the school as normal cooking facilities were out of action and parents were asked to send in warm clothing for their children.

Engineers from a number of firms, including ScottishPower and British Gas, worked through the night to find out what had caused the problem.

The school announced on Sunday afternoon that the power was back on and pupils were allowed to return to classes as normal today, Monday.

A message posted on the school’s website on Sunday praised the work of the electrical teams to resolve the problem.

Julia Hassall, Wirral’s director of children’s services, said: "Unfortunately Liscard Primary was closed for two days last week after a serious power outage, which was beyond our control.

“Contingency measures were put in place for Year 6 pupils to ensure no disruption to their SATS preparations, and parents helped by sending in warm clothing and packed lunches.

“A cold lunch was provided by school for those children who usually have a school meal.

“While we’re disappointed to have to close the school, getting it open again has been a real team effort and I’d like to thank staff and pupils for their resilience, as well as Wirral Council’s officers and the school’s contractors for working continuously over the weekend to restore power and helping us to reopen on Monday.”