Another class has been closed at Ashby Hill Top Primary School where two year groups are already self-isolating due to coronavirus cases.

A letter was sent to parents and carers of pupils this morning (Friday) saying that a child had tested positive for Covid-19.

Headteacher Sylvie Newman said: "We were notified today that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school."

She advised that children in one class, and affected staff, will all have to stay home as a result of the newly confirmed case.

The letter goes on to say: "These children are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days along with staff members who have also been in contact with the child.

"On the advice of the local health team, the school remains open for the remaining children in other classes from today onwards and providing your child remains well they should continue to attend school as normal."

All classes in years 5 and 6, and an unknown number of staff were told that they too must self-isolate when another case was confirmed at the Beaumont Avenue school earlier this week.

The 300-pupil school, in Beaumont Avenue in Ashby, joins a growing number in the county and city that have reported virus cases among children and staff this week.

There have been repeated calls for schools and universities to close as part of the current month-long national lockdown but the Government has insisted they should remain open.

Local education bosses have said the measures put in place in schools to stop the spread of the virus mean they are the safest places for young people.

They say most of the cases affecting pupils and staff in Leicester and Leicestershire are because of infections picked up in the community and detected in schools.