A PRIMARY school has closed after a child contracted swine flu.

The headteacher closed St Paul's Primary School in Longton earlier today.

Headteacher Sandra Hearson said: "An individual from the school community has been confirmed as having swine flu. Fortunately it is very mild.

"After a long discussion including taking advice from the Health Protection Agency, I and the school governors have taken the decision to close the school."

Parents were told to pick up their children at an assembly following news of the health scare. The school, which has 171 chidren and 29 nursery pupils, will now be shut for seven days.

We will bring you more on this story as we have it.