A SOUTHAMPTON school has announced it will be closed tomorrow due to a sickness outbreak.

Hollybrook Infant School in Seagarth Lane, Basset, will close so a deep clean can be carried out at the premises, after a number of staff and students reported falling ill with a "flu-like sickness".

Councillor Mark Chaloner, who represents the Shirley ward, said: "My daughter said a third of her reception class have been off sick."

Cllr Chaloner who has two daughters at the infant school added: "I know the staff very well and I'm quite confident that they would not have made the decision to close the school unless it was necessary.

"There has been an outbreak of sickness at the moment."

Catherine Smith, who works in attendance and admissions at the school said: "We are currently experiencing unusual levels of absence in both staff and students due to an outbreak of a flu type virus at Hollybrook Infant School, therefore the decision has been made for a one day closure on Wednesday 6 February 2019 of Hollybrook Infants to enable the school to carry out a deep clean of the premises.

"This is a precautionary measure in order to limit any further outbreaks.

"Please can we remind parents that if their child has been unwell, they must remain off school until they are symptom free.

"We thank you for your understanding during this closure and ask parents to contact the school if they have any queries."

Hollybrook Juniour School will be open as normal.

This is the fourth Southampton school to close due to sickness.

Regents Park School closed on January 31 until February 4, Oasis Academy Mayfield closed on January 31 and February 1 and Redbridge Community School was closed for three days earlier this month.

Redbridge's Headteacher Jason Ashley described the outbreak at the school as "the worst" he had ever seen.