A SCHOOL has sparked outrage among parents by installing CCTV cameras in the pupils toilets.

Education bosses are said to have made the move in the newly-refurbished blocks at Weshoughton High to prevent vandalism. But furious mums and dads claim the new system could easily be abused.

A petition signed by more than 80 parents calling for their immediate removal has been sent to Education Secretary Ruth Kelly, who is MP for Bolton West.

The cameras have been placed in both the girls' and boys toilets.

Carol Galloway, of Oxlea Grove, Westhoughton, whose 16-year-old daughter Katie attends the school, said: "The cameras need taking down, there are invasion of privacy.

"The school says that it is to stop vandalism and smoking, but the children can still do that out of the view of cameras if, as the school says, they are fixed.

"If they are to stop vandalism, then children who are going to do graffiti will do it in the cubicles. The cameras do not serve a purpose."

Jacqueline Bateson, from Sunny Garth, Westhoughton, whose 14-year-old daughter, Naomi, attends the school, said: "They cannot just stick cameras in the toilets. They are open to so much abuse.

"I have seen the cameras and they view a large area of the toilets.

"In the boys' toilets, there are the urinals so it is even worse.

"I have been told the cameras are to prevent vandalism to the toilets, which have been refurbished, and the cameras are fixed so they cannot be moved.

"But I am not convinced that this is the case."

Mrs Bateson, along with a group of concerned mums and dads, are demanding that the cameras, which are fixed to the ceilings near the entrance in both toilets, are taken down.

She said: "I dont have a problem with the other security cameras in the school, but the toilet is a private area and is used by girls to adjust themselves and sometimes to change in.

"I have heard that the girls are refusing to use them because of the cameras."

According to the Information Commissioner's Office, a body which oversees the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts, the school could be breaking the law.

A spokeswoman said: "CCTV in areas such as this should only be used in exceptional circumstances, such as if there was evidence of drug taking.

A spokesman for Ruth Kelly said today: "We have received a call about concerns over CCTV cameras at Westhoughton High School.

"We have advised those concerned to send their concerns in writing. Mrs Kelly will then look into the situation and take any action that may be appropriate."

A statement issued on behalf of the school by Bolton Council said: "The school has had a small number of queries and is working to reassure parents about why it is necessary to have cameras in place.

"The fixed cameras have been positioned to monitor students who enter and leave the toilet areas. The cameras do not cover urinals or cubicles."

Jason Travis, president of the Bolton branch of the National Union of Teachers, said: "I have not come across cameras in the toilet area in the schools I have worked in and it does seem a controversial move."