For the record Somervale School in Midsomer Norton has not got a racoon problem.

The school was pushed into making a full fact disclosure following wild rumours that wildlife had taken up residency in the school roof.

Just for the record racoons are not in fact native to the UK - and there seems to be little reason why they might even if they had escaped from some enclosure- take up residency in Midsomer Norton.

The school issued this explanation for why certain areas were out of bounds.

The school, as it says here, expects to be back in business after half term.

Racoons do seem to be having something of a renaissance in terms of spotting in the UK. They apparently do have a taste of beer, and when rowdy have been reportedly breaking into homes and causing damage.

In the past decade or so sightings of raccoons in the wild have soared, so perhaps that is where the Midsomer Norton pupils have got their inspiration?

But in this case it was the rain to blame, not any critter pushing Somervale School over the edge.