A full year group from an East Lancashire primary school were turned away from the school gates on Wednesday morning after a case of Covid-19 was confirmed within a class.

Children in the reception class at Lower Darwen Primary School were told they would have to return home and self-isolate after a child tested positive for the coronavirus.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough council confirmed all children within the year group at the Milking Lane school had been sent home, with headteacher, Steven Cumbo, stating pupils would be required to self-isolate and only return to school on Monday October 19.

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: “Schools are aware of the steps they need to take should they have a confirmed case or an outbreak in school.

"The council has worked with Public Health England to put together a comprehensive plan covering all eventualities and we will support schools, alongside public health colleagues, if and when any such incidents happen.

"The safety of our pupils and our staff is paramount.”

All parents and carers of children in reception have been notified.

Mr Cumbo said: "It's a very challenging time for schools at the moment as we are dealing with something which is invisible and have to act as and when things happen.

"Parents had the communication this morning. Ideally they would have been informed on Tuesday evening but we only received confirmation of the positive test at around 7.30am.

"It is very difficult for us and from a school's point of view we feel that we have to put the safety of our pupils and staff first."