Pupils from a Sidcup school are in precautionary coronavirus isolation after they returned from a skiing trip in northern Italy feeling "unwell."

Secondary school Cleeve Park today confirmed that an unspecified number of pupils and staff had been advised to stay at home.

New advice from the Government recommends that any Britons who have been to quarantined regions of Italy must self-isolate on return to the country.

Mrs Tyler Maher, Executive Head Teacher at Cleeve Park school, said: " I can confirm that a group of students and staff have recently returned from a skiing trip in Northern Italy.

"A small number in the group have reported feeling unwell and as a precaution, they have been isolated at home from the other students and staff.

"We will continue to work closely with the families of all involved and follow the advice of Public Health England and the Trust's Health and Safety Officer.”

Schools in Cheshire, Nantwich, Huddersfield, Middlesbrough, Newquay and Truro are also reported to have advised staff and children who returned from Italy to stay at home.

Italian media reported on Tuesday that there had been 283 reported cases of coronavirus in the country and seven deaths.

The Government has put 11 towns in Lombardy and Veneto into lockdown, areas which are popular skiing destinations.

Thousands of people cannot enter or leave the regions for the next two weeks without special permission.

Outside the zone, sporting events have been cancelled and many schools and businesses have suspended normal operations.

Travellers who have returned from quarantined areas since February 19 are advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people, even if they do not have coronavirus symptoms such as a cough, fever or shortness of breath.

People returning from parts of northern Italy not in the lockdown areas should also self-isolate if they develop symptoms.

This is defined by a line above Pisa, Florence and Rimini, which includes Milan, Venice and Bologna.