A Kent headteacher has thanked the authorities in China for treating her pupils well - after they were quarantined over fears they might have swine flu.

Rosemary Joyce, head of Tonbridge Grammar school, has seen six of her students holed up in a hotel there since Wednesday last week.

They have now been released after seven days of quarantine.

But Mrs Joyce has described how the youngsters whiled away their time during their enforced captivity - through donated laptops.

Mrs Joyce said the six youngsters - out of a total of 16 who are on the trip - were each given a laptop so they could send emails home.

A system of communication with England also kicked in, keeping families informed of the latest news.

Mrs Joyce said: "I am incredibly proud of both the students and the staff, because, as you will appreciate, it's a big responsibility for any staff taking students overseas - and then to have a situation like this occur.."

Now they have been given the all clear .. and they are back with their class mates - and Mrs Joyce has nothing but praise for the Chinese authorities.

Tonbridge Grammar headteacher Rosemary Joyce speaks of her ordeal

But plans have now been changed - the team will now avoid a planned internal flight for fear of a reprise of the flight out!