HEALTH chiefs have warned that the epidemic sweeping through schools and colleges in Preston and South Ribble could be 'winter vomiting disease'.

Dr John Cheesbrough, consultant microbiologist in charge of infection control for the Chorley and South Ribble and the Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trusts, said: "SRSV (Small Round Structured Virus) is a relatively mild but common virus.

"It is highly contagious but it doesn't last long, usually between 24-36 hours.

"About 50 per cent of people exposed to the virus seem to have some immunity and do not go on to develop symptoms."

Many Preston schools and colleges have been hit, with one of the worst affected being the Priory Technology College on Crow Hills Road, Penwortham, where 200 pupils were off sick at one time.

Mr Edward Fitzpatrick, deputy headmaster of the school, said: "Even the teachers have been going down with it.

"Three members of staff have so far been off and we've had, on average, one supply teacher in every day."

Headteacher Philip Warren of Farington CP Primary School, Rose Street, Leyland, was not so fortunate in finding cover.

"I have one teacher off with this bug and I've not been able to get hold of a supply teacher because there are none available," he said.

Lostock Hall High School, on Todd Lane North, was also badly affected. Wendy Bradley, the school secretary, said: "We have more students off school this week than we have ever had off in one go.

"In fact, out of the 159 students in Year 8, one third of them are off sick."

Four of the school's teachers were off last week, and two are off this week.

Ms Bradley added: "Fortunately, Year 11 are on work experience so that has released some staff to cover other classes."

There were no teachers off ill from Moss Side Primary School, Paradise Lane, Leyland, but plenty of pupils suffered the effects of the bug.

Headteacher Janis Burdin said: "There were only 12 people from Year 6 in on Monday, and quite a few were off from Year 3.

"Sadly it has come at this crucial time of year when we're coming up to the SATS and children need to be in school."

Symptoms include vomiting and, in some cases, diarrhoea.

In a bid to prevent the virus spreading to the hospitals, Dr Cheesbrough appealed to people who suspect they have the virus not to admit themselves to hospital until they are fully recovered.