School closed by vomiting virus

A primary school in Devon has been closed following an outbreak of a highly contagious virus.

The norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, has affected 29 of the 145 children at North Tawton Community Primary School.

The school has been closed to limit the spread of the bug and a thorough cleaning operation is taking place.

There are about a million cases of the bug annually. Confined spaces, such as hospitals and schools are more at risk.

It is very unusual for people with the virus to become seriously ill, but it can take up to three or four days to recover.

Norovirus is more prevalent in the winter.