SCHOOLS throughout South East Cornwall have been hit this week by a flu epidemic that has laid low both students and staff.

Doctors have warned it will take about a week for those affected to recover - and say that the young and old will be especially vulnerable to the virus.

More than 10 per cent of the students at Saltash community school have been struck down, and staff absenteeism due to illness is rising. Peter Morgan, of Saltash school, said: 'We have had a very full absentee list these past few weeks, with between 180-200 pupils off each day. It has got worse quite suddenly. What we are finding now is that pupils are returning to school too early and then finding themselves back in sick bay.'

He added: 'Staff absentees are high and many classes are being covered by other teachers. We are coping with the current situation as long as it doesn't drag on too long.'

Callington Community College has also been badly affected, with between 212-240 students absent each day for the past two weeks, and high numbers of pupils being sent home during the day as they succumb to the symptoms. At Looe community school, with just over 500 pupils on roll, a total of 50 plus students, and some of the staff, have been absent daily with the virus, with numbers steadily rising.

Liskeard junior school has seen a significant number of pupils absent, the youngsters described as having been 'knocked for six' by the virus, especially if they try to return to school before fully recovered.

A local doctor said he has seen a definite increase in flu type cases in the last few weeks. He added: 'The majority of people are being sensible and doing what we advise - which is to go home, go to bed and take a correct dose of paracetamol or aspirin. Inevitably some people are pushing themselves to work and consequently becoming very ill. The usual flu type symptoms seem prevalent, including headaches, high temperature, aches and pains, a cough and some sickness and diarrhoea. It seems to be very unpleasant, lasting from five to seven days.'

He added: 'There is no magical cure for this type of illness, just do the above, rest, and contact your local doctor or surgery if there are any unusual symptoms, especially the very young, or old.'

Dr Brian Guttridge, of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health authority, said: 'Nationally we are seeing the normal winter rise of cases of flu, although this year it has happened later than usual. It appears to be mainly influenza B, which is the milder form. However, it's not unusual for flu to sweep through schools and organisations, because of the close environment people work in.'

Experts have been tracking the march of the flu across Europe, and currently flu cases in the South West have reached 45 in every l00,000. This is not yet way above normal, but it is feared a rise in the numbers of people affected could take place.