Leak brings down Highland Council's website

Water leaking from a burst pipe has shut down a council's internet services which are distributing information on disruption caused by the heavy snow.

Highland Council's website and schools closure site have been unavailable because of the problem at Inverness College in the city's Longman Road.

The building houses computer servers used by the local authority.

A council spokesman said it was a "major incident" and apologised for inconvenience caused.

Head teachers have been urged to update Highland Council's Schools Information Line on closures planned for Tuesday as early as possible.

The council has also been using www.highlandlife.net as a means of publishing information about school closures.

Highland Council said members of the public having difficulty in finding out about their school should call 01349 886606 and a member of staff would do their best to help.

A spokesman said: "This is a major incident and it is not possible at this stage to estimate when these services will be restored.

"The council sincerely apologises for the loss of internet access at this time and will restore the service as soon as possible."