Two six-year-old children from South Lanarkshire have died from meningitis over the weekend, health officials have said.

The children, from East Kilbride, near Glasgow, have not been identified.

One of them attended Heatheryknowe Primary School, while the other was a pupil at Southpark Primary.

Both schools are in the Murray area of the town, but neither the children nor the schools are thought to be closely linked.

This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with both families at this sad time

Dr James Miller, public health consultant

It has been confirmed that one of the children died from meningococcal septicaemia - blood poisoning resulting from bacterial infection and the other is suspected of having contracted the same infection.

An outbreak control team has been set up, and a special helpline has been put in place to give advice to worried parents in the area.

The schools involved were opened on Sunday evening to allow parents to pick up letters with advice and information about the illness.

Dr James Miller, a consultant in public health medicine with NHS Lanarkshire, said: "This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with both families at this sad time."

Offering antibiotics

Dr Miller said parents should collect the letters as soon as possible and to be extra vigilant for the symptoms of meningitis.

The symptoms can include severe headaches, sore throats, high fever or a skin rash.

He added: "As a further precaution, we plan to offer antibiotics to children and staff who attend school or other daytime activities on the two school campuses.

"In the meantime, there is no need to keep children away from school, from mixing with their friends or from other activities."

'Devastated'

Jim Duffin, head of school development with South Lanarkshire Council, said: "This has been a terrible shock, particularly for the families of the children and their friends.

"The schools and the whole community will be devastated by this and also very concerned.

"Our role is to respond to those concerns, to try to give the necessary reassurance and to ensure that parents' questions are answered."

Mr Duffin said the advice letters would also be available at the schools on Monday.

The helpline number is 01698 286363.