Keighley councillors have called for Oakbank School's head to have a face to face meeting with parents objecting to the school's uniform policy.

Parents of children starting the school in September have been told they must buy blazers with school badges from one store -- Firths, one of the school sponsors -- so they are all "the same shade of black".

A campaign headed by parent Mandy Hawley, for the freedom to shop around, has been running since early July.

Over 500 people have signed a petition for the right to buy a blazer elsewhere and the badges separately.

So far, despite public pressure, head teacher John Roberts and the school governors have retained this policy.

Mrs Hawley and several other parents have now bought blazers from Marks and Spencer, which they believe are better quality than Firth's.

But at Mandy Hawley's third home-based public meeting on Tuesday night three local councillors suggested the way forward.

Councillors Andy Mudd (Lab Keighley West), Glenn Miller (Con, Worth Valley) and John Prestage (Lab, Keighley South) reached agreement, despite political differences.

"I think what might be the way forward is if we publicly ask John Roberts and Mark Curtis (chairman of governors) for a meeting," said Cllr Mudd. "If it comes from both political parties it would be impossible for them to turn it down. If we get them on the spot they're going to move."

He suggested the sponsorship issue could be subject to European procurement regulations.

Keighley councillor Lynne Joyce has also reported the matter to the Office for Fair Trading. A spokesman told the KN: "Officers have received a complaint which they are looking at. "At the moment we can't assume it will lead to an investigation."

Cllr Mudd suggested that the uniform policy be suspended until a meeting is held.

Mr Roberts says he is willing to meet councillors and parents.

He adds: "I am willing to talk to people. I haven't been invited to any meeting yet.

"As far as I'm concerned, and I think I've said this before, we can't change the policy for this year.

"More than half the parents have already bought the blazers. If we changed the policy many of them would cry foul and say it's unfair.

"I think the policy is correct and it's too late to change it this year."