A Westcliff headteacher has u-turned over a school closure plan during a parking row with residents.

Allison Moise-Dixon, headteacher of St Bernard's School, now says the school will be open on Monday after writing to parents yesterday warning them about a closure.

It comes after the Echo revealed the plans this morning.

In a email this afternoon, the headteacher said to parents: "Having spoken with the Department for Education this morning, I feel that we may be coming to a solution that will help us keep the school open on Monday and that the council will work closely with us in order to ensure that there is a solution in place for the coming weeks and months. Therefore, the school will remain open on Monday.

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"My thanks to all parents who have supported the school during this very difficult time, we never take your support for granted and thank you for realising the gravity of the situation."

She previously said large numbers of school staff would not be able to get to work meaning the "school simply could not function without these staff on site".

It has previously been warned that staff use nearby roads to park during the day because the school does not have a car park. 

The head had been urging the council to talk with her to find a solution because the new restrictions would represent a "detrimental impact" on staff. 

The school has about 966 students. 

Southend Council has been contacted for comment.