A HEADTEACHER has banned pupils from giving each other playful 'birthday digs' after two children were left badly bruised.

Children at St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, will face instant detention if they continue the playground custom of punching the arms of pupils to mark their big day.

Headteacher Anthony McNamara said his primary concern was the welfare of the 1,060 pupils at the Elker Lane school.

But parent pressure group leaders have accused him of "extreme political correctness" stating: "They will be banning rugby next."

But Mr McNamara denied he was a killjoy.

He said: "This is not about political correctness but about protecting the children and making sure pupils are sensitive to the fact that they should not leave someone feeling hurt.

"I am as against political correctness as the next person but to say that trying to protect children is political correctness is ridiculous. There are safer ways to say Happy Birthday."

The Roman Catholic school's stance is outlined to parents on its website.

Mr McNamara states: "There is a custom where some boys give each other 'digs' i.e. thumps on the arms of whichever boy is celebrating his birthday.

"Although this is meant in most cases to be a harmless activity, we've had two incidents in recent months where the boy concerned has been left badly bruised.

"Not all traditions are worth holding on to and this one definitely isn't.

"For this reason we are banning 'birthday digs' however gently they are intended. Anyone engaging in the practice in future will be given at least a detention."

The Campaign for Real Education, which pushes for higher standards and more parental choice in state education, has over 3,000 supporters across the UK.

And its chairman Nick Seaton blasted the ban.

"Where do you stop? They will ban rugby next?

"As a child you need to get used to bit of rough and tumble and while we wouldn't want to see pupils seriously hurting each other it does seem extreme to ban this and it is just another example of political correctness coming in."

Chairman of governors Fr Edmund Willoughby backed Mr McNamara and said: "We've got total confidence in the headmaster's judgment and these days it is essential children are in a safe environment."

The National Association of Head Teachers, which represents 30,000 school leaders nationally, has also applauded his stance.

National council member Monica Galt said: "Birthday digs are not something I have come across but the union would give its backing to any headteacher trying to instil discipline and guard against anything that could encourage bullying or unnecessary aggression."