A HEADTEACHER who wants to protect her pupils is being hampered in her attempt to put up an eight foot-high fence around her school.

Isobel Ormerod, head of Scot Lane End CE Primary School in Blackrod, said the boundary fence was vital for the safety of pupils and motorists.

But Bolton Council's planning and highways committee deferred the application because planning officers said it would be too high.

The existing fencing and boundary wall varies from three feet to five feet high.

The decision has upset the school, and chairman of governors Helen Hamilton said: "We are dismayed that this has been deferred for the second time for the same reason.

"The fence would be higher than the one we have now, but the health and safety of children at the school is paramount.

"Children are tall enough to put their head on top of the fence, which is not safe.

"The fence itself is dangerous and wobbling."

The school, in Manchester Road, submitted plans to replace the existing boundary fencing and railings with 2.4 metre (eight foot high) mesh fencing.

Mrs Ormerod told the planning meeting: "Our main concern is for the health and safety of children in our care.

"For this reason, we need the fence renewed as soon as possible.

"Children can climb over the fence in the evenings and holidays, and it is not tall enough to stop a football from going over the fence and on to the road, which is a hazard for drivers."

But councillors said the school needed to discuss alternatives with planning officers, including a lower fence with a ball catch.

Cllr Alan Walsh said: "It would have an impact on the street scene. I can't support a 2.4 metre fence."

But Cllr Roger Hayes called for the application to be approved because he said "the impact on view would be minimal".

Mrs Hamilton said the school had hoped to put the fence up during the summer holidays.

"The fence is also important for the security of the school and residents support the application. We will keep pressing for it because the health and safety of our children comes first."

Mrs Ormerod added: "Incredibly, the council is putting aesthetics before the safety of our children. We did get support from some councillors which we are grateful for.

"If we stopped children playing football, it would go against the school's healthy policy."