TWELVE children have tested positive for exposure to tuberculosis at a Kidderminster school where a teacher contracted the contagious disease.

About 500 children at St John's Middle School underwent skin tests after the outbreak earlier this month - and the dozen who have tested positive have been put on antibiotics to ensure the disease does not develop.

All staff had chest x-rays which proved normal, while the teacher who contracted the disease is recovering.

Dozens of worried parents called a helpline set up by Worcestershire Health Authority after the Shuttle/Times and News broke the story on November 8.

Dr Alan Tweddell, consultant in communicable disease control, said: "No cases of TB have been detected during the screening programme to date."

Children who tested negative for exposure will be re-tested in two months, but the chances of finding further children needing antibiotics are said to be "very low".

"We would like to thank all the parents, staff and pupils for their support and co-operation during what must have been a very difficult and stressful time," Dr Tweddell added.