PART of a school field is out of bounds after a resident brandished an air rifle at pupils.

A horrified mum told how her son returned home shaken and stunned after lunchtime was cut short at The Brent Primary School in London Road, Stone.

The mum, who does not want to be named, said: "I was told that a man whose back garden neighbours the school field turned up at the school because two of the pupils were throwing stones.

"Then he decided to take it upon himself to wave an air rifle."

She added that pupils were left sobbing and dinner ladies were distressed by the incident.

The mother said: "I know that children can exaggerate stories, but the school has been inundated with calls from parents.

"I can understand the gentleman getting angry, but waving an air rifle at little children seems ridiculous. It is not as if the children are a danger or a threat to his life.”

Sue Nicholson, the head teacher at the school for five to 11-year-olds, said the drama erupted at lunchtime, involving a resident and some of the schoolchildren.

The matter was dealt with and the children were brought into the school.

She said: "However, the situation escalated and the man climbed a ladder and waved an air rifle in the air to get children away from his property.

"All the children were then brought indoors and the police were called."

She added that the school was taking the threat very seriously and was working with the police.

She said: "Parents have been fully informed of the situation and the bottom of the school field is now out of bounds to pupils."

A spokesman for North Kent

Police confirmed that officers spoke to a man about his conduct following a complaint from the school.