Three classes at a south Essex special school have been closed today with pupils forced to stay home due to "staff sickness and absence".

Three classes at Glenwood School, in Rushbottom Lane, in Benfleet, were closed today with individual families informed this morning, as there were not enough staff to open the classes.

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In a message to parents of pupils in these classes, seen by the Echo, Glenwood School said: "Due to the volume of staff sickness and absence we unfortunately are unable to safely run your young person's class today.

"Please do not send your young person into school today. Thank you."

Glenwood is a community special school which caters for learners, between the ages of three and 19, with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.

A spokesman for Glenwood School told the Echo: "We have had to make the very difficult decision to close three of our 25 classes today due to high levels of staff sickness.

"We appreciate that by the time we were informed it was difficult for some families to make arrangements, for which we apologise.

"The education and safety of the children and young people we support is paramount, and we look forward to resuming these three classes on Monday."