A TWELVE-year-old girl was today recovering in hospital after contracting the deadly meningitis bug.

The youngster who is a pupil at Noadswood School was diagnosed with the brain disease several days ago and was admitted to Southampton General Hospital where doctors say she is responding well.

It is thought the girl contracted the meningococcal form of the meningitis bacteria outside the school community.

All 1,150 pupils at the comprehensive school were given letters yesterday to take home informing them of the situation and assuring parents there was no need for their children to be kept home from school.

Some parents have reacted angrily to the Dibden Purlieu school's response, claiming they had been left in the dark for too long.

Christine Houghton, 53, whose two grandchildren attend Noadswood, said: "I don't think the school let us know early enough. We have been ringing up today asking what's going on after we heard it from another mum and they didn't tell us anything.

"I am still not convinced that the children aren't at risk so they are staying home."

Storm Cooghan, whose 12-year-old daughter Leander Tidy is in the same year as the girl, said: "As far as we know this girl was admitted last week, so why has it taken so long for us to be told?

"It can take days for the symptoms to come out so I am taking no chances and keeping my daughter home."

But head teacher Colin Hirst said the school had acted according to health advice.

He said: "What I have done has always been in line with the advice given to me by the health professionals. We were made aware of the situation on Tuesday by a parent. No one had contacted us at that time. After I made inquires I was assured that no action needed to be taken.

"I have acted on advice given to me after speaking to a doctor responsible for communicable disease control and we have been in constant touch with the public health department. As a result letters are being sent home to let parents know the situation.

"We have been advised that people who have not had prolonged close contact, ie classmates, friends, social acquaintances and visitors to the house, are not at any greater risk than the rest of the population.

"There is no reason to make a change to the school routine or to keep children at home. I do understand why parents would want to keep their children at home but according to the advice it is not necessary."

The education authority, Hampshire County Council, confirmed the school had acted appropriately. A spokesman said they understood the case was isolated and that parents were being informed once the exact circumstances of the girl's condition had been established.

A spokesman from the New Forest Primary Care Trust said the local public heath department was aware of a single case in the area and that they had issued health advice to the school.

News of the meningitis case on the Waterside follows the recent death from meningitis of 14-year-old Zara Walters, who was a pupil at the private Schieling School in Ringwood.

National Meningitis Trust support line: 0845 6000 800.