A SCHOOLGIRL was arrested for allegedly making racist remarks to Asian pupils because some of them did not speak English.

Codie Stott's family, who live in Grosvenor Drive, Walkden, said she was kept in custody in a police cell for three and a half hours.

The 14-year-old was reported by teachers at Harrop Fold High School, in Worsley, after she refused to study with her Asian classmates.

She was later released without charge.

Codie had been asked to sit with a group of five Asian pupils as part of a science class project.

She said the four girls and one boy began talking in a language she did not understand, believed to be Urdu, and she asked to be removed from the group.

The youngster said she was then accused of being racist and was put in an isolation unit by the teacher.

The matter was referred to the community police officer based at the school and Codie was arrested. She was taken to Swinton police station more than a week after the incident on September 26.

Headteacher, Dr Antony Edkins, said: "An allegation of a serious nature was made concerning a racially motivated remark by one student towards a group of Asian students new to the school and new to the country.

"We aim to ensure a caring and tolerant attitude towards people and pupils of all ethnic backgrounds and will not stand for racism in any form."

Her mother, Nicola Stott, aged 37, said: "Codie was not being racist. The reaction from the school and police is totally over the top and I am furious my daughter had to go through this trauma."

Police said Codie had been questioned in a juvenile unit, not a police cell.

A spokesman said: "Police received a report that a racist remark had been by a pupil at a school in Little Hulton.

"A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of section 5 racial public order offence. She was questioned before being released without charge."