About 1,800 pupils in Clacton are off school for a second day due to a power failure in underground cables.

Colbayns High School was forced to close again today as it waited for the fault to be repaired - but it will reopen tomorrow .

Head Nick Pavitt took the decision to close as the fire alarms and intruder alarms were put out of action by the failure, along with computers and other equipment.

He said it was a fault in an underground cable and nothing to do with the recent storms.

The problem was first discovered at 4.30pm on Tuesday. Power went off in parts of the school's east block.

The school contacted suppliers 24seven and reported the fault.

However, due to major work in trying to restore electricity following Sunday's storms, the company was not able to get there until yesterday.

Mr Pavitt said part of Pathfields Road would have to be dug up and a jointing team would have to repair the fault.

The school remained closed today and the plan was to open part of the West Block to 334 Year 11 pupils and 250 Sixth Formers tomorrow

Published Thursday October 31, 2002