PARENTS have been warned about symptoms of whooping cough after a case was diagnosed at a Teesdale nursery.

An unnamed child at Green Lane Nursery and Childcare Centre, in Barnard Castle, is responding to treatment for the infectious illness.

All close contacts of the child have been identified and, where appropriate, antibiotic treatments have been arranged.

Parents at the nursery have been sent letters advising them on the symptoms of whooping cough.

Doctor Deb Wilson, from the County Durham and Tees Valley Health Protection Unit, said: "Parents were reassured that regardless of immunisation status, we do not consider that contact at nursery has increased the other children's risk of this disease.

"We believe this is an isolated case. However, staff from the Health Protection Unit will continue to monitor the situation."

Dr Wilson is advising parents that if any symptoms of the disease develop they should contact their GP.

"Parents of children who may not be vaccinated should also discuss routine vaccination with their family doctor," she said.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is an infectious disease usually spread through the air by droplets from coughs and sneezes.

It commonly affects children under five, although it can affect people of any age.

The main symptom is bouts of severe coughing, which can persist for three months.

Although most people make a full recovery, it can have serious long-term effects on children under five.