Eight children were found to have raised levels of carbon monoxide

Health chiefs have been unable to say whether three school boilers were responsible for making 25 children and two teachers ill last Tuesday.

But they have installed a temporary heating system and carbon monoxide detectors at Crookhill Primary School in Gateshead, as a precaution.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are still investigating.

Officials and specialist engineers are examining three boilers under a classroom.

Risk assessment

Eight of the children, aged nine and 10, who were taken ill were found to have raised levels of carbon monoxide and were treated with oxygen.

Gateshead Council's director of learning and schools, David Mitchell, said the safety of pupils was the priority.

He said: "The school boilers are currently out of use pending remedial work.

"The Health and Safety Executive has assured us that there is no residual carbon monoxide risk from the original heating system.

"A temporary heating system will be provided and we would like to reassure parents that a full risk assessment has been carried out accordingly.

"The safety of the children and our staff is, and always will be, our primary concern.

"We will continue to work closely with the HSE to undertake any necessary remedial work based on its findings and recommendations."