CHIPPENHAM'S new Abbeyfield School is plagued with noise problems less than a year after opening.

The school was one of three built through a private finance initiative and opened in September.

But now complaints have been made to the German contractors about thin walls and the tin roof.

The metal roof leaves pupils deafened during heavy rain which drums on the surface.

The secondary school was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh earlier this year.

Headteacher Trish Shubrook said the noise issues had been raised with contractors, Bilfinger and Berger, and were being taken up by the education authority, Wiltshire County Council.

The walls are so thin it is difficult for staff to have confidential conversations, as they can be overheard.

Within weeks of opening, it was clear there was a storage problem at Abbeyfield as the lockers were not big enough for pupils' bags.

Pupils were forced to carry heavy bags around until new larger lockers were provided.

Abbeyfield, and secondary schools in Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury were constructed to the same specification.

Staff at Malmesbury School have complained an exam had to be stopped when rain thundering on the metal roof distracted pupils.