A VALE teenager has been told to stay away from school because his hair is too short.

Ben Johnson had his head shaved at the weekend because his parents say they were concerned about a suspected outbreak of head lice at Prince Henry's High School, in Evesham.

But when the 14-year-old, who suffers from hearing difficulties, turned up for lessons on Monday he was told his new style was against regulations and he spent most of the morning waiting outside a room whilst a decision was made on his future. His mother was then called and asked to take Ben home and keep him there until his hair has grown to at least 3cms.

Parents James and Deborah Johnson, who live in Queensmead, Bredon, are furious.

Mr Johnson said: "They wanted him to take work home with him but I refused - if they won't let him into school he's not doing any work.

"There is a teacher at the school with the same hairstyle - he's allowed to teach but Ben isn't allowed to learn, " he said.

Head teacher Bernard Roberts said: "I have no wish to comment. " Lee Shrimpton, spokesman for Worcestershire County Council, said: "It is up to the governing bodies of individual schools to decide what the uniform is.

"The school rules should be made available and they have agreed to adhere to them when they signed up, " he added.