AN OUTBREAK of the infectious stomach bug E coli has forced the closure of a nursery and a primary school.

Fifteen youngsters at the Bexley Business Academy nursery in Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, and one of its primary school children have been confirmed as suffering from the bug which can cause vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhoea and a fever.

The outbreak came to light after two children from the nursery were taken to hospital with symptoms.

One child was kept in overnight.

Hospital tests subsequently revealed the presence of E coli and the Health Protection Agency was informed.

The nursery was closed on July 20 and the primary school closed last Thursday, a day before the children were due to break up for the summer holidays.

An investigation to find the source of the outbreak is now under way by the South East London Health Protection Unit and officers from Bexley Council's environmental health team.

There have been no cases reported among the staff at either the nursery or the primary school and none at all at the academy's senior school.

All three schools have separate kitchens and the nursery and primary kitchens were inspected by environmental health officers who said they were modern, well equipped and the staff were properly trained in food safety.

The team said it had "high confidence in the ability of the kitchens to provide food that is safe to eat".

A Bexley Council spokesman said the source of the outbreak may never be found but it was suspected a child may have brought the infection into the nursery and it had been passed through child-to-child contact.

Both the nursery and primary schools are now undergoing a deep clean to clear all traces of the bug.

The primary school will remain closed for the summer, but the nursery will reopen for staff and children who can show themselves free from the infection in two consecutive tests, once the investigation and the deep clean are finished.

Tests are currently underway on 180 children and staff in the nursery and the primary school's reception class.

Letters were sent to all parents informing them of the situation, when the nursery was closed. It is also on the academy's website.

Carpenter Phil Eldridge's two children have both been infected with the bug. His younger daughter Louise, three, who attends the nursery, was the first to come down with the illness.

Her sister Chloe, five, who is at the primary school, was next to fall victim and now his wife Sarah has also tested positive.

The family, who live in Kale Road, has been forced to cancel their planned holiday in Eastbourne and Mr Eldridge, 34, says he wants answers.

He said Louise has been the worst affected. He explained: "She is as pale as a sheet. She is not eating and we are trying to keep her fluid intake up."

He was angry the family had received little information from the academy about what was going on.

He said: "I am disgusted at the way the school has handled it. It has done nothing. Young children's lives could be at stake."

But academy chief executive Sam Price said: "We want to reassure parents and staff all health protection measures advised are being followed.

"We will keep everyone informed with up-to-date information."

Local GPs and hospitals have been alerted to the outbreak.

The health protection unit says the risk of infection can be reduced by thorough hand washing with soap before and after handling food, before eating and after going to the toilet.

It advises parent to make urgent contact with their GP if their child's condition worsens as the infection can cause kidney failure.