'Flu-like' infection shuts school

A primary school in Shropshire has been closed by the council because more than half of the students and staff reported suffering from flu-like symptoms.

About 30 children and six adults were off sick on Tuesday, which meant there were too few staff to supervise pupils.

Shropshire Council has temporarily closed Tilstock CofE Primary near Whitchurch to contain the infection.

It said the school could be shut for the rest of the week and it would monitor the situation daily.

A council spokesman said supply teachers were not an option for the school because too many staff were absent, including the head teacher, and there would not have been enough continuity.

The Health Protection Agency advises people with flu-like symptoms to stay off work or school for at least five days.