GREENMOUNT CP School has banned peanuts after learning that just the smell of the nut could kill one of their pupils.

Mr Peter Parker, head of the Greenmount school has stopped peanuts and foods containing peanuts coming into the school to ensure the safety of a four-year-old boy who will start in September.

The youngster - who is not being named - has a life-threatening allergy to the nut.

Mr Parker said: "The safety of all our children is paramount."

The head added: "The allergy can be triggered-off by the smell and could have serious consequences for the child.

The ban is already in force, and steps have been taken to ensure no product containing the nut enters the school. Teachers have all been trained in how to administer adrenaline in case the youngster has an attack, called anaphylaxis, brought on by peanuts.

"We have information leaflets on the disease and have taken every precaution we can to ensure the safety of the youngster," said Mr Parker.

He praised parents who have co-operated with his request.

"The parents have been fantastic and have offered their co-operation. The ban on peanuts has not made a difference to school life, and no one has really noticed any changes.

"Obviously there have been changes in the kitchen but there have been no problems," he concluded.

A spokesman for the council said that as far as they were aware the Greenmountschool has become the first in the borough to ban peanuts.

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