Two schools were closed after a bacteria which can cause Legionnaires’ disease was found in their water supply.

Horsted Infant and Junior Schools, both in Barberry Avenue, Chatham, were undergoing a routine water check last Thursday when the legionella bacteria was discovered.

Although there was no risk to children or staff,the head teachers of both schools made the decision to close the schools for the day.

Mrs Lesley Wainwright, head teacher of Horsted Infant School, said: "A routine check was carried out and we were told there was a risk of bacteria in it.

"We were told we could stay open but we would have no hot water and that we couldn’t flush the toilets which wasn’t acceptable, so the head of the junior school and I both decided to close the schools.

"We were given the all-clear on Thursday afternoon and another test was carried out on Friday just to make sure everything was OK but as the junior school was closed on Friday anyway due to a staff development day we decided to keep the infant school closed too. We’d already had to close the school Monday and Tuesday due to the snow so we didn’t feel we could keep messing parents around any more."

A spokesman for Medway Council said: "As legionella can only be contracted through aerated water such as showers, both pupils and staff were not exposed to any risk.

"As a precaution the system was flushed through."