Blackpool Sixth staff member tests positive for coronavirus as students told to remain at the resort college

The Blackpool Old Road college said that the member of staff self-isolated "as soon as they developed symptoms" and has not returned to college since.

Students and staff have been told that they should continue as normal at the college and follow Covid-19 measures.

A spokesman for Blackpool Sixth said: "We have taken advice from the Department of Education and, as a result of their risk assessment, and the stringent measures followed by the staff member and their colleagues, we can confirm that there are no members of the college who have been identified as close contacts.

"Therefore, all staff and students should continue to attend college as normal and continue to follow the measures in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19.

"The college has put in place an extremely rigorous set of procedures to maximise social distancing and minimise the numbers of people staff and students come into contact with at college.

"We are continually reviewing these procedures and will make any changes needed in response to any developments or guidance from the health protection authorities. Our key priority as always is the safety of our students, staff and the wider college community.

"If students or their parents/carers have any specific concerns relating to attending college, they should contact their pastoral mentor in the first instance."

It comes just a week after two students at the college had tested positive for the virus.

The college, in Blackpool Old Road, wrote to students, parents and carers on Tuesday, September 15 alerting them to the cases, and instructing them that "unless told otherwise, all other students should continue to attend classes as normal."