At least three students at the Institute of Islamic Education, a private boarding school in Savile Town, have been diagnosed as having the virus. They are the first confirmed cases of swine flu in Kirklees.

The secondary school and college, which is in the grounds of the Markazi mosque on South Street, takes both boarding and day pupils aged from 13 to 26.

Health officials would not confirm whether the affected students were adults or children.

Dr Judith Hooper, director of public health for NHS Kirklees, said they were being treated with anti-viral medicine at the school.

"They are responding well to treatment," she said.

"A number of individuals at the college are also showing the common symptoms of flu and these individuals are limiting their contact with others.

"Due to the practicalities of dealing with so many symptomatic students, the college has taken the decision to close for seven days.

"However we will continue to work with them to monitor the health of staff and pupils.

"As a precautionary measure, anti-viral medicine has been offered to all pupils and staff at the college."

No-one at the school was available to talk to the Reporter and the secretary of the mosque, Shabir Daji, declined to comment.

Coun Khizar Iqbal (Ind, Dews South) said he had been told there was no danger to the wider public. He said: "I have had a few calls from people who wanted confirmation of the cases but I think it has been handled well by the Primary Care Trust and the Health Protection Agency."

So far across the UK, 6,929 people have been diagnosed with swine flu and three have died.

For regular updates on the situation in Savile Town log onto www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk.