Pupils at Kingsdown School have been told to stay at home today after a gas leak forced authorities to switch off the heating.

A smell of gas was detected yesterday morning in a cupboard near the school entrance.

Gas supplier Transco was called and engineers confirmed a small leak and closed off the school's gas supply.

Barry Case, deputy head teacher of Kingsdown, in Stratton St Margaret, said the school had been closed because it was not known how long it would take for the heating to be switched back on.

"Today we will be attempting to identify where the gas has been leaking from and repair it," he said.

"As a precaution we had to take the decision to close."

Mr Case stressed the leak never presented a health risk to pupils, and said he hoped the gas would be reconnected today, allowing pupils to return tomorrow.

Parents and pupils have been asked to listen to local radio to find out when the school will be reopened.

The last time Kingsdown experienced a gas leak was about three years ago.

The leak was quickly located and the school remained open.