SOUTH MARSTON Primary School will shut tomorrow following fears over a fire that has already caused one football match to be abandoned.

The closure, which was announced on the school's website, comes as firefighters from across Swindon have fought a large bonfire at the former Mercure Hotel.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are working with workmen at the hotel to extinguish the fire, which is made up of material from the demolished hotel.

Writing on South Marston Church of England Primary School's website, headteacher Luke Maddison wrote that the school "will be closed on Monday due to the current uncertainty over the fire and the length of time it is taking to put it out".

He added: "There is some uncertainty over air quality tomorrow in the village, as the fire service are not clear on the exact nature of the materials that are on fire and their level of combustibility."

The school is expected to reopen on Tuesday, subject to further discussions with the fire service. 

Earlier today, women's football side Swindon Spitfires were forced to abandon their first match of the season, against rivals Swindon Town Ladies FC's development team. Both sides had been promoted at the end of last season from the Wiltshire leagues to the South West regional leagues. The match was due to be played on the South Marston Primary School playing field, which backs onto the former hotel site.

Bev Maull, Swindon Spitfires club secretary, said that the game was cancelled after a senior fire officer advised them 20 minutes before kick off that firefighters would be turning the bonfire - and the smoke would likely get thicker.

She said: "It was disappointing, but luckily it was only a local game. The referee arrived from Chippenham and I explained the situation to him. He was okay with us cancelling the match."

It proved a wise decision. "The smoke got really, really bad later," said Bev, who has been involved with the Swindon Spitfires for almost 50 years.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have said they will continue to tackle the fire until around 7pm tonight. The firefighting effort will resume again at 9am tomorrow morning.

The fire service have advised nearby residents to keep their doors and windows shut against the smoke.