TWO schools in Evesham are closing tomorrow (Friday) due to the heavy rain forecast.

With the Met Office predicting up to 20mm of rain in some places, St Richard's First CofE School and Vale of Evesham School, both in Four Pools Lane, have taken the decision to close over fears they may have to evacuate staff and pupils in the event of flash flooding .

In a letter to parents, headteacher Elizabeth Spencer, of St Richards, said they had received a silver weather warning from county hall due to adverse weather conditions.

"They informed us the predicted adverse weather may result in significant flash flooding," she said.

She added the school has already had problems this week with staff getting into work from Malvern, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Worcester and Cheltenham and if they did make it in tomorrow, they may not be able to get home.

Roger Randall, school administrator, said there was also a danger of flash flooding in the brook nearby.

"The brook at the end of the car park floods very quickly we've had problems in the past," he said. "We'd rather have children at home safe and sound then have them in school and have to try and evacuate them.

"Last year we went from what we considered a gentle flowing stream into a torrent in the space of a couple of hours."

Meanwhile, Vale of Evesham School is also closing over concerns there transport to get the children home could be disrupted.

Headteacher Ann Starr said: "Our issue is the children are transported to school and the authority can't guarantee they can get them home tomorrow if the weather deteriorates.

"We were trapped here in the floods in 2007. We were stuck here for two days."