Nearly 150 pupils and 10 teachers from Brookside Academy in Street are self-isolating following confirmed cases of coronavirus at the school.

Somerset County Council has confirmed that all Year 6 and Year 2 pupils, which is approximately 145 pupils, plus 10 teachers are isolating for 14 days after confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the school population.

This follows on from Crispin School in the village, where all 226 Year 8 pupils and all 195 Year 9 pupils are self-isolating following two confirmed cases.

The Somerset Local Outbreak Engagement Board is urging people in the Mendip area to stay vigilant after a significant rise in positive coronavirus cases.

Although the rates of infection remain low in Somerset as a whole, there is an increase in numbers in the county with more cases emerging in Mendip.

Of the 59 new cases confirmed in Somerset between September 8 and 21 that have been reported, a significant proportion of these are within the Mendip district.

Trudi Grant, Somerset's director for public health, said: "This is another stark reminder of the paramount importance in remaining vigilant and following the government guidance as we see increasing cases across Somerset, particularly in the Mendip area.

"Public health teams continue to support communities, businesses and schools, providing advice and guidance on what to do if someone starts to show symptoms or tests positive.

"I would like to commend all staff and parents at both schools who have acted quickly and efficiently in order to put important measures in place to help control the spread of the virus.

"They have been provided with public health advice including what to do if someone was to become symptomatic."

Chair of the Somerset Coronavirus Engagement Board, Councillor David Fothergill said: "We're all in this together and preventing spread of the virus and protecting our loved ones is up to us. The only way we can do this is through our behaviour.

"Remember HANDS – wash regularly and for at least 20 seconds, FACE – wear a face covering in settings, if you can and SPACE – stay two metres apart from others or one metre plus with extra precautions in place such as increased ventilation or face covering if two metres is not possible."