HUNDREDS of children across East Lancashire are being hit by a stomach bug - leaving education bosses facing the prospect of an epidemic.

The area's worst-affected schools are in Blackburn with Darwen and Ribble Valley, with pupils suffering from serious sickness which starts with projectile vomiting.

The "winter vomiting sickness" bug has affected schools and hospitals elsewhere in the country, leading to up to a third of pupils at some schools staying away from lessons.

Most of the schools in Blackburn with Darwen are starting to feel the effects after pupils started to call in sick or be sent home towards the end of last week. Now staff are also being affected.

Schools in Clitheroe have also been hit, with St James' school in Greenacre Street, Brookside County in Bright Street, Edisford County in Edisford Road and St Michael and St John in Lowergate reporting high numbers.

Numbers are not as high as in other areas of the country but could reach epidemic proportions if they get higher.

David Whyte, headteacher of St Wilfrid's High School, in Shakespeare Street, Blackburn, said the effects of the bug had not reached crisis levels yet.

"There are students who have come into school who are obviously unwell and we have arranged for them to go home. They seem to be suffering from a flu-like stomach bug and most of them have been off for a few days.

"We are now also seeing staff getting it too. We have four members of staff off at the moment."

Headteacher of Audley Junior School in Queen's Park Road, David Whalley, said he had been at a meeting of local heads, who all reported their schools were starting to be affected.

A spokesman for East Lancashire Health Authority said: "Because it is a virus, there is no recognised treatment for this bug and patients should be given fluids. It is advised that they stay off school or work for at least 48 hours, and the symptoms should go within 60 hours. Good personal hygiene is also essential to prevent the spread."

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust reported a number of cases of the bug among staff.

A spokesman said: "A number of staff are off with it at the moment, but we are coping."

Facts about the winter vomiting sickness bug:

The bug is known as small round structured virus (SRVS) and is highly contagious.

The virus produces a gastroenteritis-style

illness, starting with projectile vomiting.

Victims should stay at home and take plenty of fluids.

They should recover within 24 to 60 hours.

Good personal hygiene can help prevent the spread of the virus, especially washing hands.

There are cases of the bug every year, but the average number is around 600 a year, according to the national public health department.