PUPILS who have returned from a country affected by the deadly Sars virus have revealed their fears about the spread of the disease.

About 30 girls at Stonar School near Melksham, who returned from Hong Kong after the Easter break, were isolated for 10 days but were due to return to class on May 2.

Earlier this week, in an exclusive interview, which was carried out via email because of the quarantine restrictions, some of the students explained how the virus had terrorised friends and family in the Far East.

Jessica Lee said she was reluctant to return home until severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) was under control.

"The number of people dying is what really scares me," she said.

Most of the students did not know anybody who had been affected, but one girl, who did not wish to be named said she received a long distance call telling her that someone she knew had fallen ill.

"I felt frightened but there is nothing we can do," she said.

"We have to keep ourselves and the environment clean, not only when the Sars virus appears but everyday." All the girls, who are aged between 15 and 17, wore facemasks when they were in Hong Kong and said many people were too afraid to venture outside.

While they have been in isolation, school books have been taken down so they could continue lessons.

Staff have been looking after them in three boarding houses at the far end of the site, taking the pupils' temperatures every day.

All the girls were happy to spend time in isolation to minimise the risk of spreading the virus in the UK and have been keeping a diary about their experiences.

To keep the students' spirits up, classmates have been phoning them, sending them emails, letters, magazines and sweets.

Pupil Athena Choi said: "They have been very nice and supportive.

"My teachers sent me emails telling me what they had been doing in lessons. My biology teacher didn't forget us for the test!

"I will happy to be back in the school, knowing I won't carry the virus with me."

Health experts have said that Sars is under control in places like Vietnam but the virus is continuing to spread in the Far East.

So far, there have been more than 350 deaths worldwide and six confirmed cases in the UK. "I feel really upset when we see the death toll rising," said Heidi Wan.

"I'm proud of the people in the frontline fighting Sars."

Headteacher Clare Osborne praised the girls for the way they have coped over the last 10 days.

She said: "Our overseas girls have handled their isolation magnificently and have been working tremendously hard. Our community at Stonar is even stronger."