Concert cancelled as group of children fall ill

A concert at a music festival had to be cancelled after 11 people were taken to hospital after falling ill.

The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed on Thursday the 11 patients were taken from Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Denbighshire to Wrexham Maelor Hospital with flu-like symptoms on Wednesday.

Public Health Wales previously said eight children were being assessed for mild respiratory symptoms.

The Llangollen International Eisteddfod said it was forced to cancel the concert, by Welsh musician and composer Karl Jenkins, but said the festival would resume on Thursday morning.

None of the eight children were seriously unwell, Public Health Wales said, before the ambulance service said the number had increased to 11.

Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said the eight children assessed in the hospital on Wednesday night would be discharged on Thursday morning.

"Tests carried out on these children have indicated the presence of common respiratory viruses, including flu.

"They are being treated appropriately and are recovering. The risk to the public remains low".

The festival said the extraordinary incident related to a flu-like outbreak with multiple people coming forward with similar symptoms.

"The Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes the safety of its audience, competitors, performers and volunteers extremely seriously," it added.

David Hennigan, board director for Llangollen, said they were pleased the children were OK.

"We would like to thank our medical staff, the Welsh Ambulance Service and volunteers in particular.

"We're keen to carry on now - Llangollen is back in business. The Maes this morning was buzzing again."