Christmas ban for naughty kids

A vicar whose children are banned from their primary school Nativity play, last night supported the head teacher's decision to prohibit all Christmas festivities this year, writes Andrew Rosthorn.

After "a great deal of soul searching", Barbara Milne-Redhead has banned the play and the Christmas lunch at Brennand's Endowed School, run by Lancashire County Council. After breaking the news to the school's 51 pupils she told Slaidburn villagers: "I had to do something drastic. I have warned the children about their behaviour before, but I have never carried out my threats. The children know they have reached the end of the line now." Pupils had been rude, and were answering back and using bad language, she said. Yesterday the Rector of Slaidburn, Mark Russell- Smith, said: "As the chairman of the governors and as a parent I support her attempts to restore discipline in a small percentage of the pupils in whatever way she deems necessary."