Three cases were confirmed in the Reading area on Thursday evening, one of which was from a pupil at Henley College who has died.

In a statement on Friday morning, Henley College said: “The Henley College can confirm that one of its students sadly passed away earlier this week.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

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“We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UK Health Security Agency.

“Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing further detail at this time.”

The school has not confirmed if it is open today but an eyewitness said it was open on Friday morning with students heading in.

Students queuing for antibiotics at the University of Kent in Canterbury (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo said on Friday morning: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the students affected.

“I’m also urging everyone in the area to re-familiarise themselves with the symptoms and signs of meningitis.”

Nearby Wheatley Pharmacy added: “Due to increased local interest around Meningitis B vaccination, we currently have Meningitis B vaccine in stock at Wheatley Pharmacy.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, the UKHSA said that its specialists were “working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading”.

“Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease,” the Hart Surgery in Henley said in a statement on Thursday evening.

“They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved.

“If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual.

“The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”

Henley College, in Henley, is a sixth-form college with more than 2,000 full-time students which teaches more than 60 A-level subjects and vocational diplomas, according to its website.

On Thursday, Dr Paddy Woodman, director of student services at the University of Reading, said: “While there are no reported cases among University of Reading students, I know that our students, staff and family members may be concerned.

“We will be contacting students to remind them of existing information about looking out for signs of meningitis, and the importance of acting immediately on any worrying symptoms, as well as checking their vaccination status.”

Two students died in a meningitis outbreak in the Kent area in March – 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.

Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, said: “We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student.

“Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks as we saw in Kent recently are thankfully rare.

“We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases.

“Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low.”

Meningitis Now’s chief executive Dr Tom Nutt said: “Everyone at Meningitis Now is deeply saddened and concerned to hear reports of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting young people in Reading and the surrounding area, including the tragic death of a young person.

“We would urge people to remain vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly and early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely vital.”

According to Dr Nutt, symptoms can appear in “any order” and may include a high temperature, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and feet, severe muscle pain, and a rash that does not fade under pressure.

“Teenagers and young adults are among the groups most at risk from meningococcal disease, and the recent outbreak in Kent has shown how quickly cases can emerge,” he added.

Jennie Logan, Martyn Sadler and Dave Chester all died in the tragedy on May 15 last year.

Oxfordshire and the firefighting community is remembering the three victims on the anniversary.

The Firefighters Charity said: “Jennie and Martyn embodied everything our fire and rescue services community stands for: courage, service, and selfless dedication to protecting others.

“Jennie, Martyn, and Dave ran towards danger so that others could be safe.

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“Today, we remember them. We honour them. And we hold their families, friends, and colleagues at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and London Fire Brigade in our hearts.

“Many people are still carrying the weight of that terrible night.

“We are here for every member of our fire and rescue services community.

“Our support line is free, confidential, judgement-free – always.

“Please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

The Fire brigade Museum added: “A structural collapse of the building took the lives of Firefighters Logan and Sadler along with Mr David Chester.

“Two further Firefighters were seriously injured in the collapse.

“The cause of the fire and subsequent collapse remain under investigation.

“Jennie Logan was 30 years of age at the time of her death.

“Martyn Sadler was 38 years of age at the time of his death, leaving behind a widow.

“We think of Jennie & Martyn’s family, friends and colleagues on this difficult day.

“May they rest in eternal peace.”

Bicester Town Council added: “Today marks one year since the devastating fire at Bicester Motion — a day that remains deeply felt across our community.

“We remember with sadness the lives impacted, and the families forever changed by this tragedy.

“On this anniversary, Bicester Town Council holds firefighters Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler, and David Chester — a valued member of our local community — close in our thoughts, along with all those affected, especially their families and loved ones.

“Our hearts remain with them, and we continue to stand together as a community in remembrance, support, and compassion.”

London Fire Commissioner, Jonathan Smith, said: “Today marks one year since the devastating fire in Bicester, where two firefighters and a member of the public lost their lives.

“Leading firefighter/sub officer Martyn Sadler from the brigade and firefighter Jennie Logan from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service died in the line of duty while responding to the fire, alongside member of the public David Chester.

“Firefighters risk their lives every day to protect and save others, and today we reflect on Martyn’s years of dedicated service at the brigade, where he was a valued, respected and much-loved colleague and friend.

“My thoughts and those of everyone at the brigade remain with Martyn’s family, friends and colleagues as we mark the first anniversary of this tragic fire.”

No overall majority was won at the authority when the city went to the polls across 24 wards on May 7, with half of the council’s seats up for grabs.

The makeup of the next Oxford administration is uncertain, as “conversations” to decide how the authority will be run are set to continue into the weekend.

Labour, which previously ran a minority administration with 21 seats, remains the council’s largest party with 20 seats.

The party lost two seats and made one gain.

One of the councillors who lost his seat was Alex Hollingsworth, a former city council leader, who is also the partner of de facto leader Susan Brown.

The ongoing discussions could end with Labour continuing to run the council as a minority or in an alliance, potentially with the Greens, who were celebrating “historic” gains.

The Green Party received the highest percentage of votes at the Oxford elections and came away with 13 seats, having gained four, its highest number ever on the council.

The Lib Dems held their seats, but made no gains at the election and had been in talks with the Greens about working together to run the council.

These talks have since fallen through.

Cllr Chris Jarvis, who was the Green group leader heading into the elections and is now its deputy, ruled out working with the Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA), over differing opinions on issues such as transport.

Previously, IOA leader Cllr David Henwood said the party’s door “remains open” to the Greens or Labour.

He stated: “IOA leader, Cllr David Henwood, said: “The Greens have made it clear that they will not work with the IOA.

“However, our door remains open, as we all have a duty to deliver the services required by law to the people of Oxford.”

Negotiations remain ongoing.

The timetable for local government reorganisation currently suggests that, following a decision on whether Oxfordshire will have one, two or three authorities set to be unveiled in July this year, “shadow authority” elections will be held in 2027.

This would be in place ahead of the new authority or authorities being set up by April 2028.

This means whoever takes control of the council may have less than a year in charge.

Meanwhile, the impact of these local elections has been playing out on a national stage with a leadership crisis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following major losses for the Labour Party across the UK.