A creche has been given the all-clear after a baby was rushed to hospital suffering from meningitis.

Medical chiefs said children were not in danger at the nursery at Waterside Farm Sports Centre, Somnes Avenue, Canvey, after a 17-month-old boy was taken to Basildon Hospital suffering from the virus.

Parents had been told what precautions to take after the baby was admitted to hospital.

Creche staff at the Castle Point Council-run centre had noticed the baby looked unwell and had informed his parents. A South Essex Health Authority spokesman said the youngster was responding well to treatment.

David McNeill, Castle Point council's deputy director of leisure services, said: "There was a baby who staff noticed was not very well and his mother took him from the creche.

"We have been told it was not related to the centre.

"A nurse spoke to the manager of creche and gave the centre all the information about what to tell parents."

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