An 11-year-old girl is recovering from meningococcal meningitis in Airedale Hospital.

She was rushed into hospital after becoming ill at Sutton County Primary School.

Her parents and a close friend have been given antibiotics as a precaution. Families of children at the 224-pupil school have been notified by letter and urged to look out for symptoms.

The girl, whose name has not been released, became ill on the first day back from the Christmas break on Wednes-day, January 6.

Head-teacher Phil Sant says: "I have been to see her in hospital and I've been in close contact with the family. I believe she is recovering.

"There was no panic in school. Parents showed great composure. We were notified she had probable meningitis the following day and by Friday morning letters had been sent out to parents."

Parents of other children who were absent were also informed and leaflets explaining the disease and what to look for were handed out, he says.

Dr Phil Kirkby, North York-shire county council's consultant in public health medicine, says: "It is my understanding she is making a good recovery in hospital."

He expects that because she was diagnosed and treated early she will make a full recovery. He says full procedures were taken which involve giving close contacts a course of anti-biotics and informing parents at school.

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