A SCHOOL has spoken for the first time since it took the step to ban students from wearing fake tan.

Ulverston Victoria High School told parents before half term that wearing it would "not be acceptable" when students returned from the week-long break yesterday.

But Richard Butler, the school's assistant headteacher, said the message was sent to parents as a "reminder" of the school's make-up policy.

He said: "It was just a message to tell parents again about one aspect our hair and make-up policy.

"There was no problem with students wearing it before because they all understood the school policies.

"We have a zero tolerance approach to make-up so this was just to emphasise that."

The policy saw a mixed response from readers online with some questioning how wearing fake tan could get in the way of students' learning.

Others said it was a "sensible" decision.

The mayor of Ulverston David Webster said it was fair to ban it if it was in line with the school policies on make-up.

Mr Butler added: "We have received support for the policy inside the school - from parents and from students.

"People outside the school have made a bigger thing of it than it is.

"Inside school it has been absolutely fine."

The assistant head confirmed none of his students had been punished for wearing fake tan on the first day it was brought in.

Under school rules, under school rules, any student who wore make-up to school was told to take it off immediately.

He said those wearing fake tan were excluded from spending time with friends at break and lunch times.

The text to parents, sent after school on February 15 as students left for half term, said: "We would like to advise you that from Monday 25th February, fake tan worn by students will no longer be acceptable.

"Wearing it will be considered an infringement of school uniform policy.

The school has more than 1,300 pupils.