The trustees of a mothballed school have been hit with an £80,000 gas bill because they kept the heating on after it shut.

Oakbank residential school in Aberdeen has been virtually empty for the past 18 months after being shut amid spiralling debts.

The facility was shut due to spiralling costs – with only two members of the former 104-strong workforce left behind to complete administrative work.

However, board vice-chairman Alan Donnelly said the bill is “more than two years old”.

“We had staff there. We had to keep the place water-tight and look after their welfare and part of the heating has done that.

“Chronologically we’ve been paying off all our creditors and debts. This is another bill that’s arisen.”

Mr Donnelly said the meters were being “checked” to ensure their accuracy.

Scottish and Southern Energy say there is “no question” of the figures being inaccurate.

Whilst defending the need to keep the heating running in the school, Mr Donnelly admitted that the problem would not have arisen had they sold it sooner.

The school closed in August 22, 2008. After being sold to Carlton Rock, plans are being considered to turn the facility into a £50million office complex.