Kingsfold Primary School was closed on Friday morning Pic: Google

A Penwortham school shut due to an outbreak of norovirus is to be reopened on Monday.

Kingsfold Primary School was closed by health officials on Friday morning after a large number of pupils showed symptoms of viral gastroenteritis.

Headteacher Debbie Mills said the school had now been deep cleaned.

She said: “On Saturday the school was deep cleaned to kill the virus which struck on Thursday.

“The school is now virus free and will open as normal on Monday morning at 8.50am.

“Children must not return to school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.”

Consultant in health protection Dr Nicola Schinaia had written to all parents on Friday to inform them of the closure.

She stated: “We have identified that a number of children within school are off ill at the present time with symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea and fever.

“The numbers are large than would normally be expected, so after discussion with the Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection team we are writing to parents.

“The symptoms are suggestive of viral gastroenteritis (also known as norovirus) and it is known that high levels of viral illness are currently circulating in the community.”