CHILDREN were evacuated from a school in Tyldesley on Friday after high winds damaged a roof on the building.

Fire crews were called to St George's Primary School, Darlington Street, at 10am when strips of aluminium cladding from the roof were spotted flapping in strong winds.

It was feared the metal could come free and smash classroom windows.

Firefighters spent two hours at the school before roofing contractors could make the building safe.

Sub officer David McKenzie said: "Because of the threat of the metal coming through the windows or blowing across the school yard we had to take children out of some areas of the building to where the were safe and eventually most of the pupils were sent home."