A SCHOOL’S kitchen remains closed this week after mice were spotted in the dining hall.

Audley Infant School in Blackburn has been unable to serve hot meals after the incident last week.

Pest control officials were called in to deal with the problem in the school which was given a five-star food hygiene rating earlier this year.

Bosses at the Queens Park Road school said the kitchen will be closed for the rest of the week as a precaution and hot meals will be prepared off site.

The Christmas meal planned for Friday has also been postponed.

In a letter to parents headteachers of the infant and junior schools Sue Aldred and Helen Nelson said: “We will cook the meals off site in another authority kitchen.

“Meals will be transported to school ready for lunch time.

“We will provide a hot lunch on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Sandwiches will be provided on Wednesday.

“We are continuing to work with the appropriate agencies to resolve our issue and our measures remain precautionary.

“The health and safety of our pupils is paramount. We thank you for you continued support and understanding at this time.”

A statement from the school said: “We have had support from Environmental Health and Pest Guard Northwest.

“We believe that the situation is now resolved but we continue to remain cautious and the kitchen will remain closed this week.

“Meals continue to be prepared off site for the rest of this week.”

One parent Nafeez Mughal, 33, who threatened to take his two children out of the school last week said he was reassured by the action taken.

He said: “A lot of parents got in touch with the school. It was the pressure that got them to act and we can see they are taking it seriously.

“I think preparing the food off site is the right thing to do. Finally we have something sorted so the health of the children is no longer at risk.”

“I brought them home for lunch on Monday but I am happy for them to go back as long as it is safe.”

Another parent said: “It does reassure me that the food is being prepared off site although I think it shows there was a bigger problem.”

“It looks like they are taking action to fix it.”