A HAMPSHIRE school has been given a deep clean after staff and pupils were struck down by a winter vomiting bug.

Teachers say a large number of people at Hythe Primary School have been laid low by the highly-infectious bug, which causes sickness and diarrhoea.

Parents of children affected are being urged to keep them at home for 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared up.

The computer suite is out of bounds and the drinking fountains are also off limits.

Some families are calling for the whole school to be closed until all danger of infection and re-infection has passed.

One parent said: "My son spent most of last night and today either lying on the sofa or groaning or in the bathroom.

"My view is that the school should be closed to allow the effects of the deep clean to work. There's no point re-admitting youngsters who may be re-infected by other children."

Another mum added: "My child hasn't been affected but quite a few other pupils are being kept at home.

"It does seem that there's a nasty sickness bug going around and it's quite quiet at the school. There aren't many pupils there."

The school, rated good by Ofsted, has about 300 pupils aged between four and 11.

In a message to parents it says: "A significant number of children and staff are absent from school having caught the bug.

"All children who have sickness or diarrhoea should remain off school for 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared up - not 48 hours since they were first poorly.

"We have organised a deep clean of the school to try to minimise any further chances of the bug spreading.

"Children have been constantly reminded at school to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer - please could all parents reinforce this message at home.

"As long as children do not return within 48 hours of the end of their symptoms, there is no reason to close the school.”

Teachers sought advice from Hampshire County Council and brought in an external team of cleaners to try to eliminate the bug.

The exact number of staff and pupils affected by the outbreak has not been revealed.