A SCHOOL forced to close a month ago due to an unpleasant smell has yet to re-open.

Gilded Hollins Primary School, on St Helens Road, Leigh, was due to open on Monday but will remain closed for further week.

Headteacher Darran Nash said in a statement on the school's website: "Contrary to reports in one of the local newspapers, and to our own hopes expressed in our previous update, we will not be able to return to Gilded Hollins just yet. We will, therefore remain at Lowton CE High School for a further week.

"Unfortunately, work to remove dozens of metres of overhead ducting, along with a very bulky air handling unit that has to be cut up while still in the ceiling void, has taken longer than originally anticipated. Once this has been completed, ceilings will be replaced and reinstated and then a deep clean of the entire building will be instigated, which will in itself take between two to three days."

Mr Nash said the school was awaiting the results of swab tests which were expected earlier this week.

He added: "These results are crucial to our decision making. As we have stated from the outset, we will not expose our children, staff and parents to risk.

Thank you, as ever, for your patience and support."

The school was initially closed on September 14 after the discovery of an “unpleasant odour” which could have been a risk to staff and pupils health.

Vigorous air analysis testing has been undertaken in the school to determine the cause of the smell, which is yet to be identified.

Pupils and staff will remain at Lowton CE High School while the ceilings are reinstated and replaced at Gilded Hollins and a deep clean of the building instigated, which will take between two to three days.

The chair of governors, Liz Haworth, said in a statement: “Everything possible is being done to keep life as normal as possible for the children.

“Mr Pollard and his staff at Lowton CE High have been wonderful. They could not have been more accommodating, welcoming and supportive.

“Mr Nash has managed the situation so very well, proving himself to be an excellent leader, and we are very lucky to have such a committed team of staff supporting him.”

The school is now expected to re-open on October 12.