'Mystery strong smell' forces evacuation of primary school after 20 pupils fall ill

Flash Ley Community Primary & Nursery was closed on Friday Credit: ITV News Central

Air testing is being carried out at a primary school after a mystery strong smell forced it to be evacuated when 20 children fell ill.

Pupils at Flash Ley Community Primary School and Nursery in Stafford became unwell on Friday, suffering from nausea and vomiting.

Tests are now being carried out to determine the cause of the mystery odour, and a letter to parents warned the school is likely to be closed until next week.

The school gates at Flash Ley are currently closed while air testing takes place. Credit: Google Street View

Staffordshire County Council confirmed some children had fallen unwell with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, but says it's too early to tell if this is connected to the foul smell.

The Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills told ITV News Central:

In a letter to parents posted on the school's website. head teacher Simon Barker wrote:

Screen shot of letter sent to parents. Credit: http://www.flashley.staffs.sch.uk/

Mr Barker went on to say staff are looking at alternative arrangements for students if the school needs to stay closed beyond next week.

Meanwhile contractors are continuing to carry out investigations into what's causing the bad small.

The school teaches 372 children from the ages of 3-11, and was given a 'Requires Improvement' rating in its latest Ofsted inspection in February this year.