A HAMPSHIRE school has been closed after an outbreak left a number of children and staff off sick.

Youngsters and teachers at St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School in Chandler’s Ford, are not expected to return until Thursday, after a thorough deep clean of the school has been undertaken.

The school, which has 236 pupils, was closed by headteacher Ursula Clark yesterday afternoon.

Miss Clark said: “A number of pupils are absent from school with parents having reported that they are unwell.

"We are following the advice of Public Health England and asking parents to keep their children at home until they have been clear of any symptoms for 48 hours.

“At this stage the nature of the illness of individual pupils is unknown and to speculate on that or any cause would be inappropriate.

“We have taken the precautionary measure of closing the school to ensure that no further outbreaks of illness occur.

"Parents will be kept informed as to when the school will be re-opened via the school’s website.”

Miss Clark added work for the children to complete at home will be added to the school website.

The school is in the ward of Eastleigh Borough Councillor Haulwen Broadhurst, who said: “Closing the school is the most sensible thing to do to prevent any more people from getting sick.”

Pharmacist Sultan Sid Dajani, of Wainwrights Chemist, in Bishopstoke, said it was a wise move to shut the school and added that people could take measures to stop the bug spreading.

“For example if you sneeze or cough do it into a tissue, wash your hands before eating and after the toilet and before bed because you may put your hands near your face.”

“Up to 85 per cent of infections don’t need antibiotics so if you catch something don’t presume you need them. Coughs and colds can last anywhere between a few days to four weeks.”

Mr Dajani said to control a fever and pain as well as cough and cold symptoms people should take painkillers, linctus or nasal decongestions.