More than a thousand pupils at a North-East college are being offered antibiotics after a meningitis outbreak.

Emergency measures to protect more than 1,200 pupils at Farringdon Community Sport College in Sunderland were swiftly put in place after two pupils contracted meningitis.

The first pupil was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital before Easter but has now been discharged.

A second pupil was admitted earlier this week and has also been discharged.

Although both victims are recovering well, health bosses have strongly advised parents to take up the offer of antibiotics.

Meningitis is not a very infectious illness and the risk of transmission is low.

Dr Kirsty Foster from the specialists Health Protection Agency, said: "We are taking this action purely as a precautionary measure, in line with national guidance which recommends the administration of preventative antibiotics when there have been two or more cases in a school or college within a short period of time.

"However I strongly advise parents of pupils at the school to take up the offer of antibiotics to reduce the risk, however small, of contracting this serious illness."

The germ which causes the illness lives in the back of the nose and throat and many people carry it without ever becoming unwell. However it can cause meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning) in some people.

Pupils will be given a pill containing the antiobiotic drug ciprofloxacin.

On Thursday letters were sent to the parents of all 1,248 pupils informing them of the two cases of meningitis, giving advice about the symptoms of the illness and strongly recommending that their children receive the antibiotic on Monday.

The school, health advisors from City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and specialist staff from the Health Protection Agency will be conducting this procedure, in consultation with Sunderland City Council.

Adrian Robson, spokesman for the Meningitis Research Foundation, said bacterial meningitis affects around 2,500 people in the UK every year. Approximately one in 10 will die and many others will be left disabled.

Mr Robson said it was "vital" that anyone showing signs of meningitis should be seen by a health professional as soon as possible.

The main symptoms of meningitis are: fever, vomiting, severe headache, rapid breathing, stiff neck, cold hands and feet, dislike of bright light, joint and muscle pain, rashes and bruising.

*For more information ring The Meningitis Foundation helpline 0808 800 3344.