A HEADMASTER says plans to allow advertising in schools will lead to pressure on parents to buy designer goods for their kids.

The Department of Education has given the go-ahead for schools to use advertising as a source of gaining extra cash.

But Michael Humphreys, head at Our Lady and St John High School, Blackburn, said he doubts many East Lancashire schools would go along with the scheme.

He said: "I'll certainly not be allowing it here. I'm not interested in letting companies sell their products through the school.

"I believe it will only put unnecessary pressure on parents to buy the latest designer goods. "That's why we have a school uniform - so everyone conforms.

"It's inappropriate to have such advertising in schools and I doubt if many schools will take up the idea."

Nigel Griffiths , Labour's Consumer spokesman, is also horrified and said schools should be properly financed by the government.

He said: "Children go to school to learn not to be persuaded to buy trainers, designer goods and computer games.

"Parents want to talk to their children about what they have learnt at schools and what they have enjoyed, not be nagged to buy them things.

"We do not want them to go to school to learn greed.

"There is a danger that this will encourage shoplifting. In America where youngsters have to have designer trainers costing upwards of $100 a pair there has been an explosion of shoplifting and robbery by pupils to pay for them.

"We don't want that to happen here. I am totally opposed to any such advertising in our schools."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.