AN ACCRINGTON high school has re-opened after coronavirus fears following a recent ski trip.

In a letter sent to parents, bosses at St Christopher’s CE High School announced on Tuesday that the Queen's Road West school would be shut on Wednesday as a result of its children returning from a ski trip to Pila in Italy.

Italy has been the worst affected European country for the virus.

Headmaster Richard Jones posted a letter on the school’s website which said: “Following updated school specific advice from the Department for Education, Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England I am able to confirm that the school will be open as normal (from) February 27, including the scheduled Year 12 parents’ evening.

“I appreciate the difficulties that an unexpected school closure can pose for families and I am grateful for your cooperation over this matter in what is an evolving situation.”

He added: "The closure was taken as a precautionary measure in light of the return from the Aosta Valley (northern Italy) of the school ski trip and pending detailed advice and guidance sufficient for me to judge that the school was a safe environment for pupils and staff.

“I have now received that advice and I am able to confirm that there have been no confirmed cases of the virus from this region of Italy and this of course includes our own party of staff and students.

“The UK government continue to judge that the current national risk to individuals remains low.

“I am grateful to the members of our cleaning team who have spent much of today completing a thorough clean of the school, with particular attention to those areas such as door handles and handrails which experience heavy use.

“We will also take the current situation as an opportunity to remind pupils and students of the day-to-day things that we can all do to reduce the risk of spreading germs and viruses.

“Please note, the advice to those pupils who took part in the ski trip remains the same. If they exhibit any of the symptoms associated with the coronavirus (cough or fever or shortness of breath), however mild, they should stay indoors and avoid contact with other people and call NHS 111.”

Accrington Academy said some of its students also returned from a trip in Italy but there were no concerns and the school stayed open.