EDUCATION chiefs in North Yorkshire are poised for widespread school closures to prevent swine flu from reaching pandemic levels.

Two schools have already closed in the region recently due to cases of the virus amongst pupils and more could take place.

Ripon Grammar School was the latest to close earlier this week and its doors will remain shut until Thursday, June 18.

The move came as one pupil at the school was diagnosed with the virus and they are been treated at home.

North Yorkshire County Council, the local education authority, is bracing itself for further enforced closures.

A council spokesman said: "We are following the advice given by the Health Protection Agency on this matter.

"The advice is to all parents that if they see their child with any symptoms of a flu like virus then they should keep them at home and seek medical advice.

"There are no other schools closed in North Yorkshire but we were advised that Ripon Grammar School should stay closed for a week as a precaution."

Special arrangements are being made for pupils to sit exams at Ripon Grammar School despite the closure.

There are now 22 confirmed swine flu cases in the North East including three others in the North Yorkshire area.

A Catterick Garrison soldier is recovering from flu as is a Hambleton district woman and an Eton schoolboy from Linton-on-Ouse.

There has also been 20 confirmed swine flu cases at Teesside High School, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton.