STAFF at a Worcester high school have been reassured that a nearby sewage works is not affecting their health.

Neil Morris, headteacher at Christopher Whitehead, in St John's, wrote to the county council in February expressing concern over throat and eye infections that had hit staff.

He described it as an 'on-going problem', believing it affected the whole of the city, not just the school.

However, staff feared the infections may have been caused by the sewage works, about 500 yards away, further up Bromwich Road.

Mr Morris met Education Health and Safety Co-ordinator Peter Babb, in April, and he passed the matter to the health protection agency, who in turn contacted environmental health officers.

Dr David Kirrage, an expert in communicable disease control, confirmed the matter had been fully investigated and there was no cause for alarm.

"People are being responsible and checking this out but we are not aware of any increase in respiratory, throat or eye infections compared to staff at any other school or members of the public," he said.

"There is no evidence that there are any problems for people who live or work near sewage treatment works and it is difficult to think of any risk.

"Overall, people in Worcester have a better standard of health than the UK as an average and I can't think of any specific problems that we have here."

Dr Kirrage added that his colleague, Dr Alan Tweddell, had written to the education authority saying there was no evidence that linked illness to the sewage works.

Mr Morris said: "I'm pleased they checked and obviously pleased with the result."

One nearby couple, Janice and Steven Turner, who live in Bromwich Road, St John's, also complained of sore throats, but only for the last three of 13 years next door to the plant - suggesting it was unrelated.

No other neighbours had noticed any health problems near the site.