8 March 2012 Last updated at 08:41 ET

Friarswood Primary School shut over E. coli outbreak

A Staffordshire primary school has been closed due to an outbreak of E. coli

Three cases have been confirmed and all pupils at Friarswood Primary School in Newcastle-under-Lyme are being tested, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

The E. coli O157 bacteria usually causes diarrhoea, it added.

Staffordshire County Council said it is believed the infection was brought into the school from an outside source. A thorough clean is now under way.

The school will reopen when it safe to do so, the council added.

Councillor Liz Staples, cabinet member for education and skills, said: "Early indications show that the infection originated from an outside source and was brought into school.

"We are looking to open the school as soon as it is safe to do so and are working closely with the HPA to see when this is possible.

"Our priority is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved at the school and we are giving the head teacher our full support during this time."