Pupils in Years 8 and 9 were sent home from Caterham High School in Caterham Avenue, Clayhall, at lunchtime today because of a lack of power in the school building.

With outside temperatures of around two degrees centigrade, a school statement said a power shortage had affected lighting, heating and telephones in parts of the school, which houses 1,182 pupils.

A Redbridge Council spokesman said a property services team was on site and that an emergency call had been made to UK Power.