THOUSANDS of letters have been sent to students, lecturers and staff at Canterbury College after a student was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Staff and residents at a care home where the student works part-time, and other people with whom he has had contact, are to be screened.

In the letter from Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, clinical director of the infection control and health protection unit for the Kent and Medway NHS Trust, recipients were told the risks were small, but screening and a helpline will be available.

A public meeting is being held at the college on Thursday (December 12) in the main hall at 2pm.

The World Health Organisation has declared a global emergency on TB as the respiratory disease is killing more people than at any other time in history.

The number of people with TB in the UK has hit a 15-year high with London having 4,000 diagnoses each year - more than any other large European city.

A spokesman for Canterbury College said: "We confirm that a case of TB has been identified in a student at Canterbury College."The risk of infection is very small but as a precautionary measure a screening programme has been set up for those who have been in immediate contact.

"This will begin in the New Year when it will be most effective. The public are welcome to attend the meeting to raise any queries they may have. The helpline number is 01227 811207."