Bradford headteachers are calling for the reinstatement of the school nurse to stem the problem of head lice.

Teachers are urging the health authority to bring back regular head inspections to combat the menace.

But health experts say it should be a community effort and that parents should be checking their own child's hair to thwart the problem.

Mark Newman, of the National Association of Head Teachers, said head lice was a persistent headache in schools.

"We do not have an epidemic in Bradford, but if we could have regular inspections it would help teachers greatly,'' he added.

Director of Public Health, Dr Dee Kyle, said the problem was no worse in Bradford than any other local authority. And the re-instatement of head inspections would not resolve the issue on its own. She said: "What you have to understand is that the head louse is a cunning beast and swings almost Tarzan fashion from head to head.''

Moira Poulton, of Bradford Community NHS Trust, said an audit would be released later this year regarding the treatment of lice. She said: "It is my opinion that the return of the nit nurse would not resolve the situation -it did not before.''

But headteacher Gillian Roberts, of High Crags First School, Crag Road, Windhill, said parents would like to see the return of the nurse. Although parents were encouraged to check hair, it would be nice to get a second opinion.

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