A school ended up in a swine flu scare when a girl was taken out of an exam after feeling unwell.

The teenager, who had been in contact with someone who had been in Mexico, was checked by the school nurse and doctor but was found only to have a common cold.

The incident was at Ashford School, East Hill, on Thursday, April 30, as the Year 11 pupils were sitting a practical textiles exam. It happened at a time of GPs receiving calls from anxious patients about swine flu although there have been no confirmed cases in Kent, according to the Health Protection Agency.

Ashford School spokesman Jo Stephens said: "The girl was seen by the nurse and doctor and was found not to be affected by the illness and was allowed to go back to the exam. She had been in contact with someone who had recently been in Mexico but that person was not ill.

"We were concerned after the big media explosion on swine flu so we took precautions and we have medical systems in place should there be any cases."