THE parents of a ten year-old boy sent home alone in tears from a school football practice have slammed the teacher responsible at his Heaton school.

Sharon Jacques claims her son Bradley, who attends Devonshire Road Primary School, was given a choice by teacher Simon Nightingale to either turn his Manchester United shirt inside-out or go home from the training session.

The youngster says he was the only pupil at the practice who was told to reverse his black Manchester United away kit shirt, while other children wearing different football kits were allowed to take part in other club shirts.

Bradley, who lives on Chorley New Road, says he was given the choice by football coach Mr Nightingale, who wore a Real Madrid shirt for the session.

The youngster, who is not allowed to walk to and from school alone, chose to walk half-a-mile back to his home rather than feel humiliated in front of his classmates.

His mother Sharon, aged 38, said: "It was disgraceful. Bradley was hysterical when he came in. My first question was how he had got home.

"He isn't even allowed to play near the road, never mind walk all over Heaton on his own.

"When Mr Nightingale realised he had gone, he didn't get in touch to check if Bradley was okay or home safe. I am absolutely disgusted."

Mrs Jacques went into the school and says she was told by headteacher Margaret Gregory that it had been intended as banter.

She said: "You can't joke like that with a child. Teachers are there to set an example, and Bradley just did as he was told, as a ten year-old would. Anything could have happened to him."

Mrs Gregory said: "In our after school clubs there is a more relaxed atmosphere and there is often banter between the children and the teacher.

"Bradley took it more seriously than was intended. When he went inside the cloakroom and did not return after a couple of minutes, the teacher sent another child in to check and Bradley had gone.

"We are not required to check if a child leaves school at the ordinary time, but if a child leaves school earlier than normal of their own accord we would normally check.

"I have had a serious chat with the parents and have apologised for Bradley being allowed to leave school alone earlier than expected."