PARENTS of pupils who lost out on Christmas festivities at their school because of unruly behaviour have hit back by throwing a mammoth party for the youngsters.

Barbara Milne-Redhead, the head teacher of Brennand's Endowed School in Slaidburn, cancelled the Christmas play and lunch at her school after a breakdown in discipline.

Her decision was supported by governors and she has received letters from well-wishers throughout the country.

But parents hired Slaidburn Village Hall for the day and organised festive fun and games for the youngsters.

One parent who wished to remain anonymous said the event had been extremely attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. "Some of the mothers got together and gave the children a party in lieu of what they missed out on at school. It was extremely well attended. The youngsters had an absolutely wonderful time and there was no bad behaviour at all," she said.

The children had enjoyed refreshments and Christmas games and the organisers were thanked for their efforts, the parent added.

Mrs Milne-Redhead, who has been a teacher for 23 years and head at Brennand's Endowed for seven, took her stance after pupils started being rude, answering back and using bad language.

She had warned the children about their behaviour and her decision to cancel the festivities "hadn't been taken lightly."

The school later revealed that the move had led to an improvement in behaviour.

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