A student at Newcastle’s Northumbria University has died of suspected meningitis.

The 22-year-old woman, from Malaysia, arrived at Northumbria University in September to study for the final year of her degree.

The university today (Wednesday, October 8) released details of her death, which happened in hospital on Wednesday (October 1).

It confirmed that no other suspected cases of the bacterial disease had been reported, but antibiotics were being offered as a precautionary measure to those who had been in prolonged close contact with her.

A University spokesman said: "We can confirm that one of our students has sadly passed away in hospital from suspected meningococcal meningitis.

"We offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends.

"Meningococcal bacteria do not spread easily.

"Those students and staff identified as being in prolonged close contact with the student in the days before she became ill have been offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure."