A four-year-old pupil at a pre-school which opened last week has contracted meningitis.

The child, who has not been identified, attended Ladybird Pre-school in the grounds of Manor Primary School in Lydalls Close, Didcot.

The pre-school, which has 70 pupils aged between two and five, has remained open.

Parents have been asked to remain alert to the symptoms of the disease, but they have been told there is little risk of further infection.

Pre-school manager Maria Matthews said: "We have been told there is very minimal chance of further cases and to just carry on as normal.

"It's obviously sensible to take precautions and every parent has been told what to look out for."

The child became ill over the weekend, beginning June 7, and is said to be recovering well.

Dr Kyle Knox, consultant in communicable disease control for the health protection team, based in Oxford, confirmed a diagnosis of septicaemia caused by meningococcal bacteria.

Everyone who was in close proximity with the child over a critical period has been offered antibiotics as a precaution.

Dr Knox said it was not felt necessary to give this medication to pupils.

But he added: "Parents must be aware of the symptoms. They include fever, vomiting, headache, dislike of bright lights, rapid breathing, cold hands and feet, and a rash that doesn't blanch when a tumbler is rolled over the skin.

"If they have any doubts, they should contact their doctor immediately."

Didcot mayor David Giaretta officially opened the pre-school last week, in its new prefabricated premises. It has been operating on the site since January.

A company, Ladybird Pre-school Ltd, was formed to save the pre-school with a loan from the new Charity Bank after its previous building was condemned by environmental health officials in 2001.

Peter Harrison, a director of Ladybird Pre-school Ltd, said: "I understand the child is well on the way to recovery."