Risley: School forced to postpone nativity show due to flooding

The nativity was set to take place in the local church

A primary school in Derbyshire was forced to postpone a performance of its Christmas nativity after heavy rain flooded the road outside the venue.

Risley Lower Grammar Primary School had planned to host its annual nativity shows at the nearby All Saints Church because it does not have its own hall.

The nativity was set to be performed twice as not all parents are able to fit into the church at once.

But the second show, scheduled for Friday, could not go ahead.

The school said melted snow mixed with heavy rain caused Derby Road - where the school and church are located - to become deluged in flood water.

Derbyshire County Council workers cleared the flood water away on Friday

Head teacher Paul Bridgmount said: "We've done [the nativity] to half of the people but we would like to do it to the other half - that just seems like the fair thing to do.

"There was an awful lot of rain that came through on Tuesday; the road was cut off and the poor old church was isolated.

"It was about two or three foot deep in places and we've obviously not been able to clear any of it on our own."

Derbyshire County Council was called to the school on Friday and cleared the water away, so the church was accessible from the school once again.

Head teacher Paul Bridgmount said the pupils were looking forward to the rearranged performance

The school has planned to rearrange its second performance of the nativity to Wednesday.

Mr Bridgmount added: "I'd like to take the opportunity to say thank you to the council who have come out and cleared the water all away.

"It's still a muddy mess out there but fingers crossed they'll get all that sorted out and we can get on with the performance. Everyone is looking forward to it."