Rock Ferry Primary School has been forced to close this morning due to a sickness outbreak.

The decision was taken after a number of staff and children fell ill with what is understood to be the norovirus, often dubbed the ‘winter vomiting bug’.

It is believed that too many staff have taken ill for the school to consider staying open.

The LDRS understands that over 100 children are ill and unable to attend school. The number of staff taken ill is not known.

A mum, of three children at the school, said the school had been inundated with calls from parents notifying that their child would not be coming in to school.

No decision has been made as to whether the school will reopen tomorrow, but parents will be notified of any further closures by the school.

Wirral Council and Rock Ferry Primary School were both contacted for comment.

What to do if you have norovirus:

If you experience sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better. There’s no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course.

You don’t usually need to get medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem.

To help ease your own or your child’s symptoms: Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration .

You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea – as well as water, adults could also try fruit juice and soup.

Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should continue to feed as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds.