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A multi-million-pound upgrade of a Perth school has suffered a major setback after a five-tonne forklift truck crashed through a classroom ceiling.

Despite the drama, contractors branded the incident “minor” and insisted the vehicle was merely “leaning” against the building.

It is understood that workers were using the telescopic arm to lift a steel beam when it toppled over on Tuesday.

Kinnoull Primary School is undergoing a £2m refurbishment by Morrison Construction and pupils have been moved to Inchview.

The firm has been awarded millions of pounds of public-sector contracts, including the new Forth crossing, a hospital in St Andrews and several Perth schools.

The contractor began work in February and the upgrade is due to be completed in December but builders stopped work following the incident on Tuesday and it is not known when they will be back on site.

Businessman John Ferguson, whose house in Kinnoull Terrace overlooks the school, said: “I got home and looked over to see how the work was progressing and thought, that’s not supposed to be there.

“It’s just as well they evacuated the school before the work started, or the children would have had more than a bit of plaster on their heads.”

The Manitou forklift will remain lodged in the roof of the building while the company carries out a full investigation.

Several workers wearing hard hats and Morrison Construction bibs were standing around in Dundee Road when The Courier visited on Wednesday. They would not speak to The Courier but the construction manager confirmed: “We’re doing work on that part of the building it’s being upgraded,” before declining to comment further.

A spokeswoman for Morrison Construction played down the incident.

“I would say it’s leaning against that building, rather than in the building,” she said. “There is some minor damage but it’s important to stress that no one was hurt.

“We are investigating what happened. When the investigation concludes, we will remove the forklift.”

The spokeswoman added: “I can confirm that work has been stopped while the investigation is ongoing and operatives will return to work when it is deemed safe and appropriate for them to do so.”

Head teacher Jenny Storrie declined to comment.

The Courier tried to contact Kinnoull School council committee but none of the officer-bearers could be contacted.