A HEADTEACHER at a Herefordshire school has been forced to reinstate three pupils expelled over an alleged cannabis dealing incident.

An independent appeals panel ruled the decision to expel the 15-year-olds had been "too harsh" and ruled they should return to St Mary's RC High School, Lugwardine, near Hereford.

The boys were caught with cannabis in March one was accused of selling it and a second of giving it to fellow pupils. The third pupil, who had been involved with the drug before, was accused of rolling a "spliff" on the school field and passing it to other pupils.

The panel's decision has appalled staff, governors and parents, who say it goes against the comprehensive school's zero-tolerance drugs policy and Government guidelines on expulsions.

The school's headteacher Clive Lambert, was unavailable for comment to the Evening News.

However, he told a national newspaper: What got under our skin is the fact that we followed our policy and Government guidelines to the letter and an appeals panel can overturn school policy like that. A lot of parents are very angry.

Herefordshire Council confirmed the reinstatement of the pupils. A spokeswoman said: The headteacher is obviously adamant that the original decision was correct. As a local authority we are bound by the decision of the panel, as is the head teachers and school governors.