HUNDREDS of angry parents have demanded to be put in the picture about a large batch of missing school photographs.

Proud parents of many of the 420 children at Lever Edge Lane CP handed over cash for professional portraits of their children earlier in the school term.

And school staff were assured that they should have their photographs back three weeks before the end of term - in plenty of time for Christmas.

But, as the Great Lever school closed for the festive holiday on Friday, the photos had not arrived.

Headteacher Mrs Frances Barrie said: "Obviously a lot of our parents have been upset by this. They really wanted their photos before Christmas.

"We feel we have been let down badly by the photography firm."

The picture orders were placed with Cornwall-based H Tempest Ltd.

Company managing director Barry Dodge said delays had been caused because of a change in the system under which school photographs are ordered and paid for. Previously parents received a selection of photos and then paid for what they wanted.

Distraught

Now parents must place specific orders, pay in advance and then wait for the photos to be returned.

Mr Dodge said: "We are distraught that we have disappointed people. We have done everything possible to get all the orders out in time for the end of the Christmas term. But in some cases, unfortunately, we have not quite managed it."

He added: "Our company has a long-standing reputation and I would like to assure our customers on two fronts.

"First of all I will organise some form of compensation for the people at the schools affected. And secondly I can assure people that we have learned from this experience and these problems will not happen again."

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