Pupils are celebrating the return of their pavilion building, which has been rebuilt just five weeks after it was destroyed by a litghtning strike.

The wooden classroom at St Thomas More Primary School in Walderslade suffered severe smoke and water damage when it was hit in a storm.

Fire spread across the roof of the building, used for the school’s breakfast club and after-school activities, and it had to be pulled down.

The goodwill and hard work of builders, insurance brokers and surveyours has meant the repair job has been completed a month ahead of schedule.

Head teacher Sian Williams said: "The classroom was new when lightning struck so we were all disappointed. We were expecting to go through a lot of red tape to get it replaced. But thanks to everyone’s cooperation it was finished ahead of schedule. The children are thrilled. It looks just like the first one."

The storm, which caused black-outs in homes in the surrounding area, occurred during the children’s half-term break. The school would like to thank Medway Council officers, Passmore Portable Buildings in Strood and Rainham’s Chris Browne Builders for their help in repairing the pavilion.

Back from the bolt: Pupils celebrate the return of their pavilion