A 15-YEAR-old boy who took cannabis into school has been given a three month referral order.

The youngster pleaded guilty at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court to possessing a quantity of the Class B drug.

Police were called to Bowland High School, Sawley Road, Grindleton, on November 10 around 11.35am when he was found to have cannabis in his possession.

He was issued with a court summons and was dealt with by magistrates.

The boy pleaded guilty to having a personal amount in his possession.

He was also ordered to pay £80 in costs.

Head teacher of Bowland High School said that illegal drug possession was taken ‘extremely seriously’.

The head, Stephen Cox, reassured parents that the incident was ‘very rare’ and is committed to teaching its pupils about the dangers of taking illegal substances.

After the hearing Mr Cox said: “We take the possession of illegal drugs at Bowland extremely seriously.

The school has a robust policy on the possession of illegal drugs.

The individual concerned and the parents understand the gravity of what has happened.

“Whilst this is a very rare incident at Bowland, there is no doubt that the use of illegal drugs by some teenagers throughout the Ribble Valley is more widespread than we would want to believe.

“Like all other schools in the Ribble Valley we endeavour to educate our pupils on the dangers and consequences of using both legal and illegal drugs.

“We have an excellent relationship with the police and their involvement in this incident, hopefully, spells out to other young people how seriously we view such behaviour.”