A PRIMARY school said its doors will stay open after one of its pupils developed swine flu.

The Great Bentley Primary School youngster first developed signs of the illness when on holiday abroad.

She tested positive for the swine flu upon arrival home to the UK.

The youngster has been kept in isolation since, and will not be returning to school until health bosses have given her the all-clear.

None of the rest of the family had the virus, but they have all been treated with Tamiflu.

Parents were handed letters telling them about the incident as they picked up their children from the school in Plough Road on Friday.

Charlee Douglass, whose daughter Lara is a pupil at the school, said: “I am not really sure if swine flu is over-rated or under-played, but I must say, I did not expect to find it on my doorstep.”

Diana Cleaver, the school’s headteacher, said: “School business will go on as usual.

“The pupil will only be returning to school when fully recovered and then only after receiving the necessary clearances from the authorities.

“In addition, it is important to note that since returning from holiday and being diagnosed positive, the pupil has been in isolation, has not been into school at any time or come into contact with any pupil or member of staff. There is no risk to any pupil or teacher at the school in contracting swine flu from this child and that school business will go on as usual.”

Mike Gogarty, director of public health for NHS North East Essex, said: “I can confirm a primary school child from north-east Essex, who recently returned from an overseas affected area, has tested positive for swine flu. The child has been given antivirals and is responding well to treatment at home.

“Fortunately, the child had not been back to school following their return from overseas so we have not had to consider closing the school.”