EIGHT-year-old Jacob Briars could not wait to show off his new pet to his friends at his school’s weekly “show and tell” event.

But when his mother, Jennifer Harlow, mentioned to teachers at her son’s school that Jacob, a pupil at Prestolee Primary, was taking in Ratatouille — a domesticated pet rat — she was told that would not be allowed.

Miss Harlow, of Alexandra Road, Stoneclough, said: “Jacob was really looking forward to telling his friends all about Ratatouille during the session when pupils talk about something they are interested in.

“I don’t understand why he is not being allowed to take his pet in school, his friend has taken in a hamster in before now."

Show and tell is a weekly event held at the Stoneclough-based school where pupils tell their classmates about their hobbies and interests.She added: “Jacob is really upset that he can’t take Ratatouille into school."

The Bolton News made several attempts to speak to the school and the education authority but no-one would comment.