HEREFORDSHIRE'S black-eyed flu bug which targets children is still coughing and spluttering its way across the county.

Many schools have depleted classes and there is no indication the infection has peaked.

While the number of children reporting sick in some areas is becoming fewer it is rising in others.

At Trinity Primary School in Hereford, where 103 children out of 530 were away at one time last week, head teacher Doug Lowe thought the worst was over.

But on Tuesday this week it was even worse, with 145 pupils absent on Tuesday. "This time it is the 7, 8 and 9-year-olds suffering most,'' said Mr Lowe.

At Credenhill Primary, head teacher John Moynihan reported an improving situation with only 17 away on Tuesday compared with 41 last week.

Both Mr Lowe and Mr Moynihan are looking forward to half-term next week. They believe preventing children from gathering together could help break the chain of the infection.

Some head teachers are still reporting wan looking children returning to school too soon and being sent back home ill.

Health experts have described it as a viral type of illness quite common at this time of year. But this winter there is more of it and the symptoms more severe.

It has earned the black eye nickname because it leaves children ashen faced with black rings round the eyes. Severe headaches, coughs, high temperatures and, sometimes, tummy upsets are other unpleasant features.

Herefordshire Council issued figures to give a snapshot picture of the situation this week.

At Whitecross High School it was said to be 122 out of 900, Wigmore High School 29 out of 477, John Kyrle High School 83 out of 964 and Lady Hawkins High School 135 out of 443.

Our Lady's Primary School in Hereford, 30 out of 156, Holme Lacy Primary School 13 out of 57 and Withington Primary School 6 out of 79.

Leaflets have been providing parents with advice about the bug.

There are said to be two groups of symptoms - diarrhoea and vomiting usually lasting one to two days, and fever, tiredness. Rings round the eyes and a cough lasting three to four days.

Parents are advised to keep children at home until they are well, drink plenty of fluids in sips, rather than gulps, use paracetamol in cases of fever and if the child is unusually sleepy, unable to take fluids, has a rash, headache and neck stiffness seek medical advice.