PARENTS have been warned not to panic following a case of meningitis at a Leigh High school.

A year eight pupil at Bedford who was taken ill with the brain disease last week is said to be much better in Wigan Infirmary.

On Monday headmaster Mr Stephen Preston said the unnamed girl was doing fine and there was no danger to other children.

He said: "We are in discussion with the health authority."

Mr Preston wrote to all parents last Thursday informing them that a suspected case had been reported by the pupil's family.

He said that advice had been taken from the consultant for communicable disease control and the school health service who felt there was no added danger to pupils and that they should attend as normal.

He asked anyone with concerns about their child's health to seek appropriate medical advice from their GP or the school health service.

The Wigan and Bolton Health Authority's consultant in communicable disease control, Robert Aston, said: "We can confirm that a case of meningococcal bacterial meningitis has been reported, but tests have not yet confirmed which strain it is.

"With one case reported in school there is no increased risk to any other pupils or teachers, but may I take this opportunity to remind people that as a result of the recent innoculation programme we are winning the battle against the illness. Parents need to be kept informed."