After having lunch in a primary school in southwest China's Sichuan Province approximately 300 pupils have been receiving hospital treatment or are under observation, local sources said on Monday.

The students developed a range of symptoms including headaches, fever and vomiting since Saturday after they had a lunch in the Chongzhou City Experimental Primary School on Friday. That was the first day of the new term for them.

No fatalities have been reported, confirmed local authorities.

"There were a few pupils in serious condition and they're out of danger now," said Shen Ji, director of the provincial health department. Some pupils have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.

An expert team from Chengdu, the provincial capital, arrived in Chongzhou on Sunday to help with the treatment of the pupils.

Health experts said the poisoning was suspected to be come from food but the cause required further investigation. About 800 pupils had their lunch in the school on Friday and sporadically unwell youngsters are still arriving at hospitals  

"All the treatment costs will be paid for by the city government," said Chen Gang, vice mayor of Chongzhou. The school stopped all classes on Monday and would reopen depending on the pupils' recovery, according to Chen.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2006)