WILTSHIRE County Council has agreed to reconsider its ban on a school's fundraising fire walk after first condemning it as a crazy, hare-brained fiasco that could end in death.

Rowdeford School for special needs pupils, near Devizes, wants to stage the event, in which adult volunteers walk across glowing embers, on June 14 to help it raise the remaining £40,000 towards its new £435,000 sports hall.

Danbi Children's Trust chairman Jenny Rathbone, who organised a similar fire walk at Devizes Sports Club in 2001 that raised more than £10,000 for the trust, agreed to help. The school also enlisted the services of Blaze, the company that oversaw the Danbi event.

But when organisers from the school contacted the education authority for its advice on insurance and safety, they were shocked at its answer. Health and safety manager Paul Collier said the council would never approve of such a dangerous event, describing it as a crazy, hare-brained fiasco.

But, following phone calls from the organisers, the council agreed to discuss the proposed event with Blaze.

Tony Ferrol of Blaze said: "Psychologically, the prospect of walking over hot coals is terrifying, but there is absolutely no danger in it at all. We have been doing this for 14 years and have helped tens of thousands of people to do the walk with nothing worse than the occasional small blister.

"We are currently involved in a tour with St John Ambulance and if anyone is safety conscious it is them."

A spokesman for County Hall said the council was only protecting people's safety, not being a spoilsport.

He said: "If the organisers can satisfy us that it's safe we may soften our stance but our prime concern is making sure no-one gets hurt.

"It is a potentially hazardous activity that could end in amputation or even death."

Mrs Rathbone said: "We were quite shocked by the reaction from the council but, then, we have worked with Blaze before and know there is no danger. I am glad they (the council) are reconsidering their position."