BAKING NEWS: School sports day cancelled because of blistering heat

Brunts Academy were due to hold a series of athletics events today but took the decision to cancel on safety grounds.

Around 900 pupils were expected to descend on the athletics track at Berry Hill Park, but baking temperatures - which are expected to go beyond 30c this afternoon - led organisers into a rethink.

Carl Atkins, headteacher at the school, said: “It’s not a decision we took lightly and not one we wanted to make - Berry Hill Park is a great facility but it’s not very shaded.

“It would have been alright for an hour but to have them there all day would have been a breach of health and safety and that is paramount.

“I have been here for nearly seven years and this is the first time we have ever called this off. We could have put up with a bit of rain but this is different, we could not take the risk of allowing pupils to burn.”

The decision was taken last night in response to the forecast for today which has been the hottest day of the year.

Half of the students were meant to be competing in the athletics events, while the remainder would have been there to cheer the participants on.

Mr Atkins added: “We were disappointed because we do not like calling events off at short notice, but everybody has understood.”

It is now hoped the school will reschedule the event for the autumn.