Ref. 27846-58A FAMILY-RUN store in Swindon says it is facing ruin after a school banned pupils from leaving its grounds at lunchtime.

Sally O'Reilly, owner of Reilly's mini-market in St Paul's Drive, said trade had slumped since Dorcan Technology College imposed the ban.

Mrs O'Reilly said she relied on custom from schoolchildren and had already been forced to let one employee go.

Takings had plummeted by £200 a week since the new school year began. From September, students have not been able to leave the college grounds until their school day finishes at 3pm.

Mrs O'Reilly, who has three grandchildren at the college, said: "From a business perspective it has absolutely ruined us. We have suffered a great deal since the children haven't been coming in.

"After each lunchtime we used to have £40 in the till from the children. That comes to quite a lot of money to lose in a week, or over a month. The money from the children was the main source of income. I've had to let one of my ladies go."

Mrs O'Reilly, who has owned the shop for two years, said she agreed with Dorcan keeping its younger pupils in school for safety reasons. But she said older pupils at the 11 to 16 school should be allowed to make the seven-minute walk to her shop.

She said: "It's the upper years that very much resent it. They want the choice about what they do at lunchtime. I think the older students should have the choice to stay in or go out."

Headteacher Dr Scott Sissons was unavailable for comment.

He introduced the restriction to clampdown on truants skipping afternoon lessons. A perimeter fence, CCTV cameras and a computer registration system were also introduced at the specialist technology school.

At the time Dr Sissons said the measures were also for the "safety and security" of children.

Following their launch, one parent said the new measures made the school look like a high security prison.