Two pupils at a North Ayrshire school have broken coronavirus quarantining rules sparking warnings for others not to do the same.

The pair, who attend Garnock Community Campus, had returned from a trip to Lanzarote.

Holidaymakers returning from Spain must self-isolate for two weeks.

The children have since been tested for coronavirus and the results were negative.

Children returned to school less than a week ago, and some cases of the virus have already been recorded among Scottish secondary school pupils.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that two pupils who were coming to the end of their quarantine period attended school for two hours on Friday.

“When we discovered that they should still have been quarantining, they were placed in isolation, the rooms they had been in were cleaned, and they were met by their parents outside and taken home. Both have been tested for COVID and the results were negative.

“We spoke to both families and would remind all parents/carers of their responsibilities as we try and ensure pupils return safely to school.”

Scotland’s National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch said: “The Scottish Government has been informed by our directors of public health about a number of cases of children and young people being in school after recently returning from countries not exempt from quarantine rules.

“I must remind you that the law requires everyone returning to Scotland from non-exempt countries to self-isolate at home for 14 days. This includes children as well as adults.

“People self-isolating should not go out to work or to school or visit public areas.

“Scotland's directors of education will be speaking to head teachers and heads of early learning and childcare settings today to ensure this is made clear to parents, children and young people.”