By David Raleigh

A school has been evacuated in Co Clare following a gas leak this morning.

More than 300 pupils attending Parteen National School were evacuated from the building around 9.30am, after a digger hit a mains gas pipeline while carrying out construction works on the school grounds.

The school has been closed until further notice and is expected to reopen tomorrow.

Construction workers are currently on site repairing the damaged pipeline.

The pipeline was struck by a digger during the construction phase of an additional school development of a play area, perimeter fencing, and drainage works.

Following this morning's gas leak the school followed its pre-planned Critical Incident Policy and shut off the gas supply, contacted the emergency services, evacuated pupils and staff, and opened all windows and doors.

Four units of Limerick City and County Fire Service, including a Special Incident Unit, responded to the incident after receiving the alert at 9.35am.

Nobody at the school was available for comment.