CHILDREN look forward to snow for many reasons - not least the likelihood that they'll get a day off school.

But the pupils of Bishop Perowne High School have a particular reason for not wanting to be in class when the white stuff is lying deep and crisp and even.

Because engineers called to report on the state of the Rainbow Hill establishment have found defects so severe that a heavy snowfall or high winds could cause the structure to "fail".

And if there's one thing worse than double maths, it's having chunks of masonry fall on your head.

The headteacher says there is no danger to pupils, but Worcester MP Mike Foster isn't so sure.

"I'm concerned that we just don't know whether pupils are at risk," he says in today's story, on the front page and page 4.

Like Mr Foster, we don't want to alarm parents and pupils.

The chance of anyone being buried in rubble is remote.

But we'd feel a lot happier if the problem was sorted out sooner rather than later.

It's not just the physical risk to pupils, either.

As we found out last year when we reported on the problems facing another Worcester school, Christopher Whitehead, an infrastructure that's falling apart can cause morale to crumble, too.

It's time some of our ancient school buildings were replaced with modern facilities where pupils can be educated in comfort and safety.

Or we'll just have to pray that it doesn't snow...