A SCHOOL was evacuated as a precaution following reports of a gas cloud in Wallasey.

Pupils at the Oldershaw Academy in Wallasey were sent home at around 3pm yesterday.

The school was open as normal today.

National Grid is currently dismantling the last gasholder at its Dock Road site in Wallasey.

A spokesman for the organisation said it has received more than 50 calls since Monday afternoon from local residents complaining of a gas-like odour.

Headteacher Steven Peach told the Globe: "There was a very, very strong smell of gas in the area and we took the decision to close the school at about 2.40pm.

"The school normally closes at 3pm, so it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.

“National Grid engineers attended, but found there was no gas leak in the school."

A spokesman for National Grid said: "Our engineers have been responding to a number of reports of a smell of gas in the Wallasey area.

"It's possible that, because of the cloudy conditions across Wirral, the gas smell hung in the air.

"The company is currently carrying out work to dismantle two gas holders on its Dock Road site and this is believed to be causing a gas-like smell in the immediate area.

"The work is due to be finished at 6pm tonight.

"The company is encouraging people who do smell gas to ring and report it on the freephone gas emergency number.”

The structure once supplied gas to Wallasey and the surrounding area, including New Brighton, Poulton, Seacombe and Egremont.

Any suspected gas leaks or gas smells can be reported by calling 0800 111 999.