ACOMMON image of the paedophile generated by the media is of a middle-aged male skulking in the hedgerows with a camera, taking illicit photographs of young children.

Last week, a thoroughly-misguided board of governors at a primary school in this area reduced a doting father to exactly this same scenario, and for what? To take a picture of his own child at a school sports day.

I have never met the gentleman concerned, nor have I ever had any connection with the school. What I am sure about is that he is just like any other proud dad who wants simply to keep a record of his family's progress as they grow up.

I am sure his children will be happy to view his pictures in the years to come, and that they, and indeed their own children, will gain immense pleasure from the memories generated.

I do not know why some parents at that school felt it necessary to request a ban, whether it was a ridiculous over-reaction to over-hyped media reports or a misguided attempt to prevent the promotion of competition, but I suspect they are in the minority as usual.

Even so, a governing body should have enough common sense among its members to prevent the pseudo-criminalisation of perfectly law-abiding parents who do not agree with them.

There is no law in this country that prevents parents from photographing their own children, and not even the most imaginative interpretation of education law or policy would back up the governors' action in this case. Hang your heads in shame Holy Trinity Primary School governors.

M TOOGOOD

Chippenham.