CHILDREN returning from a school trip to China are being kept away from school after concerns over the spread of SARS.

The youngsters from Knutsford High School, including some from the Trafford area, returned early from the trip after the increases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the country.

And the parents of at least one sibling, who attends Broadheath Primary school, has been asked not to return him to school until May 6.

Broadheath Primary headteacher Jan Shaughnessy acted on advice from public health officials and head of school support services in Trafford, Dorothy Houghton.

Mrs Houghton told SAM: "We acted in the interests of the pupils and safety first, it was a case of the brother missing three days of school until we were sure about public health guidelines.

"Whether the decision was right or wrong, we erred on the side of caution."

Yesterday (Wednesday) letters were due to be sent out to Trafford's headteachers, detailing guidelines of how to deal with any risk of SARS.

Mrs Houghton added: "We are now in line with the national position which is unless an adult or child is presenting symptoms they can return to school or work.

"SARS will be with us for a long time to come and we needed a definite response to it."

Knutsford High School's trip to China was cut short by two days and parents of the children on the trip were asked to keep them away from school.

The 10-day absence was prompted by parents' fears of the virus rather than any real threat.

A parent of a pupil on the trip from the Altrincham area told SAM: "While I can understand other parents' worries I feel they are acting out of fear without taking note of what health officials said to reassure people.

"I can't fault the school's reaction to this, we have been very well informed and the staff went well beyond the call of duty.

"My daughter had a marvellous time in China, and the exchange was of great cultural value."

Dr Leslie Klein, director of public health for Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust, described the risk as "nothing more than theoretical".

None of the pupils or staff returning from the trip has displayed any signs of the SARS virus, which has killed almost 300 people worldwide.

Anyone with any concerns about SARS should contact their GP, telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or refer to the NHS Direct website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk