A TADLEY school has closed today to carry out a "deep clean" following an outbreak of a "flu-like virus".

Parents at Bishopswood Infant School, in Barlows Road, were told last Friday, in a letter from headteacher Glen Golding, that Public Health had informed the school that it was classed as having an "outbreak" of the flu-like virus after a "substantial number of children and staff" were suffering symptoms throughout the week.

The school was advised to send home any children who were displaying symptoms, and to thoroughly sanitise all surfaces and equipment to reduce the potential of the virus spreading further.

Mr Golding added: "Following this recommendation the difficult decision has been made to close the infant school on Monday, February 1 in order for us to fully deep clean all areas of the school sufficiently.

"As you can imagine, at the infants the children use a lot of toys, apparatus and equipment throughout the day which is contributing to the spread of this illness alongside the hygiene understanding of a young child.

"To clean everything methodically and thoroughly using specialist equipment we are unable to complete this while the children are in school

"Hopefully this will allow those currently suffering to improve and for those that have been lucky enough to remain symptom free not to become infected.

"We know this is not an ideal situation and it is a decision we have not taken lightly. We have been in contact with the Governing Body and the local authority who have advised us to adhere to the recommendations from Public Health to deep clean the school.

"Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience this may cause but I know you will all understand the necessity to take this course of action.

"The well-being of the pupils and staff are the priority at The Bishopswood Federation."

The school plans to re-open tomorrow.

The closure comes just over a week after Rucstall Primary School, in Black Dam, Basingstoke also closed because of a bug that had spread amongst pupils and staff.