ANGRY parents have called for answers after three East Lancashire schools closed their doors today - in the first week of term.

School leaders have blamed over-running building work for the temporary closures of Barnoldswick CE Primary and Nelson's Walverden Primary.

And parents at Colne Park High School have also been informed that students cannot attend lessons today because of a water shortage.

Education chiefs are hoping that the problems at all three locations will be resolved and pupils can return to classes on Monday.

Parents at Barnoldswick have also questioned why the Kelbrook Road school, which was only opened by the Archbishop of York in October 2014, needed such a serious overhaul.

In a message to parents, Barnoldswick's headteacher Michelle Ellis and governors chairman Neil Tranmer said: "Essential building repair work has been carried out on the roof of all the classrooms in school.

"At the beginning of the summer holidays, scheduled maintenance work to the velux windows started and revealed unforeseen additional work.

"This additional work was vital to ensure absolute safety of all the children and staff in school and we have been assured by Lancashire County Council and the building contractors that these problems have now been rectified."

In a social media post, Matt Thomson said: "Is it not absolutely appalling that a brand new school, the building of which has been funded by taxpayers, is shut because of issues such as this?"

Meanwhile teachers at Walverden Primary have reported that building work and a water shortage have led to the shutdown of the Bracewell Street school.

Confirming Walverden was not expected to reopen until Monday, a school spokesman said: "This is due to the building work being behind schedule.

"This decision has not been taken lightly, however the health and safety of our children must be our priority. Apologies for the inconvenience."

Bosses at Park High, which is part of the Pennine Trust academy, have also apologised for closing the school 'at short notice' because of a similar water shortage.

But one parent, Guy Williams, said: "I don't understand how no water closes a school. It's not winter and below freezing. Not all parents check Twitter.

"Now I have to run round like a headless chicken trying to sort childcare!"