MOBILE phones fitted with cameras have been temporarily banned at a Swindon school.

Peter Wells, the head of St Joseph's RC Comprehensive School is to consult parents and governors to find out if these phones are a problem in school.

Mr Wells said: "We already have a policy about the use of mobile phones in school. They are generally allowed as long as students do not use them in class or during school activities."

Mr Wells added that no incident had brought on the enforcement of the ban but said: "Mobile phones with cameras are a new development so we need to discuss their use with parents, the school council and others to see what policies we need to deal with them."

The phones will be banned for two months while the consultations take place.

Last year, a number of councils in Wales and Northern Ireland banned such phones from leisure centres over fears they could be used by paedophiles.

Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) lead member for education said: "Concerns have been highlighted nationally that these sorts of mobile phones could be used by undesirables in leisure centres and changing rooms. I can fully understand the school's decision not to allow such cameras as images taken could be abused."