Bovey Tracey Primary School was closed unexpectedly today and tomorrow following an outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea.

Parents dropping their children off were surprised to find the school shut after 67 pupils and six staff, including the headteacher had been taken ill.

Devon County Council said about one fifth of the 294 pupils at the school had been affected.

Parents have been informed and every child who turned up for school this morning has been collected.

Deputy head, Becky Forrest, said: ‘We have been taking advice from public health on how to deal with this and we have ordered a deep clean of the premises from our contractors.

‘We will not be able to open tomorrow and we will continue to take expert advice about how we should proceed after that.

‘I would like to thank parents for their understanding and support and we will keep them informed of developments through the media and on social media.’