A North Wiltshire primary school has sparked an angry reaction among some parents by banning video cameras on sports day.

Holy Trinity School in Calne took the decision on child protection grounds in line with some parents' wishes.

Last week parents received the school's regular newsletter, which contained details of next month's sports day. Parents were told that although they could continue to use 'still' cameras, video cameras would no longer be allowed on the day.

Craig Gascoigne's daughter Morgan will be nine next month and is currently in Year Four at Holy Trinity School.

Mr Gascoigne, 54, said: "First of all we were never consulted about this. This is draconian and big brother gone crazy.

"I object to being told that I can't film my daughter at sport's day.

"Let's use common sense by all means but let's not use a baseball bat to swat a fly.

"I am full of admiration for the headteacher Mrs McBride. But she has been hamstrung by the board of governors over this."

The school's governors issued a statement saying: "The policy of not allowing parents to video school events was agreed by the full governing body in consultation with the management and staff of the school.

"Our prime concern is always the safety of the children in our care and we are trying to combine common sense with caution.

"To this end we have sent out forms to all our parents asking permission for their children to be photographed.

"Although many parents have expressed their support for this, a number have asked that their children are not photographed.

"Video cameras are indiscriminate and children's privacy cannot be guaranteed. We have only had one parent who has expressed an objection."

Despite Holy Trinity's decision, other schools in the area say parents are welcome to film.

Kings Lodge Primary school in Chippenham said parents used video cameras at last year's sports day and had no plans to ban them this year.

Sue Smith, headteacher at St Peter's Primary School in Chippenham, said: "I'm not planning to ban filming."

Headteacher at Priestley Primary, Calne, David Witt, said the school did not have a problem with video cameras.

An NSPCC spokesman said: "Parents should not be prevented from filming their children.

"However, schools also need to take precautions and ensure that those taking pictures or filming at a school event are parents of children involved in that event."