YOUNG people could be returning to an Alloa nursery blighted by roof problems for a short period of time when schools start again in August.

Clackmannanshire's councillors will this week hear how the ABC Nursery building "has been assessed as structurally safe for use in the short term" – subject to roof strengthening works.

This means that despite the local authority recently suggesting that it would be "most unlikely" the nursery would re-open come August 12, children could be returning to the building when the next term starts.

Documents, to be tabled for a special meeting of Clackmannanshire Council this week, say children would return to ABC Nursery until October.

It is not yet known what will happen beyond that point, however.

Meanwhile, council officers are looking at further options and intend to report back to elected representatives at the end of July.

Concerns with the roof at the Grant Street nursery in Alloa were first highlighted in the Advertiser early this year.

Documents to be tabled this week revealed there had been a total of nine separate call outs to reports of water pouring in in 2019.

Two surveys were commissioned for the roof, concluding that "the roofing fabric required immediate attention to stabilise the structure".

Immediate works were agreed and completed in November that year.

Council papers added: "This came with a recommendation of further quarterly inspections with the caveat that the immediate repairs were a short term solution to sustain the safe and suitable provision of services from the location."

With Covid-19 restrictions easing, structural engineers were again able to survey the roof's condition recently.

The council has been advised that the nursery can be re-opened on the completion of some minor works, costing in the region of £2,000.

Papers to be tabled on Friday, July 10, said: "The professional assessment of property officers within the council is that it would not be prudent to extend this beyond October 2020 due to the potential risks presented by the roof covering and associated rainwater goods which are well beyond their useful life and are suffering from significant defects."