The number of racist incidents in Wiltshire schools has fallen by ten per cent in the last year but the total is still more than 250 over the period.

Wiltshire County Council says significant improvements have also been made in the way racist incidents are recorded and monitored, which has enabled schools and the LEA to follow through and tackle any racist incidents more effectively.

In the period from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004, a total of 269 racist incidents were reported across all schools an average of 1.03 incidents per school. This compares with 310 incidents in 2002-2003.

Most of the incidents involved name-calling, verbal abuse and racist comments, rather than physical assaults.

Bob Wolfson, the county council's director of education, said: "I am pleased that the number of racist incidents seems to be declining.

"It is also satisfying to know that incidents are being recorded and monitored more accurately, which enables all the authorities to deal with them more effectively.

"However, we remain concerned that too many children and young people are suffering as a result of unacceptable and hurtful comments by others.

"We will continue to work with schools to address these issues, with the aim of minimising and ultimately eliminating such behaviour."