COLLEGE pupils and staff are set to undergo tests after a student tested positive for tuberculosis.

The youngster has been ordered to stay away from St Mary's College, Blackburn, until given the all-clear.

Now everyone at the Shear Brow college who came into contact with the pupil has a six-week wait to find out if they have caught the infectious disease.

Officials have declined to release any details of the student.

A special awareness and information session is to take place today to calm fears among people who may have been in contact with the pupil.

Sarah Flanagan, director of development at the college, said staff were informed of the TB case 0nJanuary 22.

Mrs Flanagan said: "On the advice of the Health Protection Agency we informed students and staff who had been in contact with the pupil.

"An information session is to take place but the HPA said that the risk of infection is extremely low.

"We acted immediately to inform anyone who may have been affected."

She said that the youngster was a full- time student.

The most recent figures available - the seven months to August - showed there were, 37 cases of TB in Blackburn with Darwen.

There were no stats for 2006. But last year health bosses said the 37 figure was approaching the 2005 total.