AN "unusually high" number of ill students and staff led to the closures of two schools in Bradford yesterday.

Queensbury School and Chellow Heights Special School in Heaton both shut early for the Christmas holidays, after deciding staying open would risk more pupils contracting the flu-like sickness.

The two schools will also be deep-cleaned over the holidays to prevent pupils getting ill again when they return in the New Year.

Queensbury School has more than 1,000 pupils and Chellow Heights has around 125.

The closures have come with renewed reminders to parents to keep their children at home from school or crowded places if they show flu-like symptoms.

Queensbury School head teacher Liz Hart said staff had struggled to keep the school open in the final week of term.

"We have worked hard to keep the school running as usual, despite our reduced staffing level, and I am proud of everyone’s efforts in doing just that," she said.

"However, we have now been forced to take action before the situation gets any worse. The number of students and staff falling ill is continuing to rise and we are now facing unusually high sickness rates."

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "We are aware of an unusually high level of flu-like sickness among students and staff at both Queensbury School and Chellow Heights Special School.

"The schools are working closely with Public Health England and Bradford Council.

"The schools have made the decision to close in order to lower the risk of transmission of the illness and to allow time for the schools to be cleaned before the new term.

"Parents are being reminded that children and adults with flu-like symptoms should remain at home, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and use over-the-counter remedies such as paracetamol, checking it’s suitable for their age.

"It is vital that people who may have symptoms call NHS 111 with concerns and not visit a hospital or their GP surgery."

As of yesterday there were no ward closures at either of the district's main hospitals, although as a precaution people have been advised not to visit wards if they have any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting.

Bradford Royal Infirmary yesterday had two beds closed due to unconfirmed gastroenteritis.

Stacey Hunter, director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Members of the public can really help us by not visiting hospital if they have symptoms to avoid spreading the virus - particularly to vulnerable people. The best thing you can do to protect your loved ones is to delay any visits until you are fully recovered and have been free of symptoms for 48 hours."