A flu outbreak forced a school to abandon lessons after more than half the staff were stricken by the bug.

Pupils at Templars County Infants School, in Cressing Road, Witham, were told to stay at home until Monday after their teachers fell ill with the flu.

The youngsters were given a notice to take home to parents on Wednesday informing them of the decision to abandon lessons until Monday because six out of eight staff were sick.

A message was also put out on the radio today and the remaining staff waited at the school gates to tell parents of the closure.

Martyn Long, headteacher at the 250-pupil school, said: "It is not something we wanted but it is just not viable to keep the school open.

"Three teachers were off on Monday and now six have gone down. We have continually been doing more to manage the absences than teaching. I rang up the county council on Wednesday and it agreed to shut the school.

"We had no problems before Christmas but it seems they have all been hit at once this week. It is just the normal flu bug. "The parents seem to be very co-operative. They realise it would not do anyone any good to open.

"We are here this morning to make sure they all know. We should be open on Monday. A few days off over this weekend will do everyone some good - the teachers will get better and the germs will not spread."

Essex County Council spokesman Mike Barnett said: "We have had a number of closures due to leaks and failures in the central heating systems which is usual for this time of year.

"This is the first time this year a school has had to shut because of staff shortages. It was a last resort by Mr Long and every effort was made so the school could remain open."

"Clearly the supervision of very large classes with very small is a difficult responsibility and grouping these so one teacher is responsible for them all is asking a bit too much."

The current flu bug has been dominating headlines over recent weeks forcing hospitals up and down the country have also had to battle against this year's virulent flu bug with an increase in patients numbers and staff shortages.

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