PRIMARY school children in York are starting to get multiple piercings, the Evening Press has learned.

A number of primary schools in the city have told us they have encountered children under the age of 11 having multiple ear piercing and piercing of body parts.

Carol Farrar, head teacher of New Earswick Primary School, York, said the school had had a child with the top of an ear pierced.

Pupils are not allowed to wear jewellery at the school other than stud earrings. Piercing of body parts is strongly discouraged and students have to cover piercings up with plasters if they do have them.

Howard Robinson, head teacher of Acomb Primary School, said they had a stud-only policy, but some girls and boys had multiple piercings. He said: "There is an increasing number of children coming into school with ear piercings and an increasing number coming with multiple piercings in their ears. I am not aware of any belly-button piercings.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to follow our policy to ask the children to cover them up or take them out."

Steve Lee, manager of Two Ronnies Tattoo Studio, in Clarence Street, York, said he had children as young as 12 coming into the shop for piercings, but turned them away.

He said: "You get lots of young girls aged between 14 and 15 for belly-button piercing. If anyone under 16 comes in, they are not allowed to get pierced. If someone comes in with a parent and they say it is okay, then it is okay. I do not want young people in the shop by themselves. If any youngsters do come in with their parents I make sure the parents are in the room."

Ken Taylor, head teacher of Tang Hall Primary School, said he did not have children with multiple piercings or piercings in other body parts. He said: "We ask that parents do not send children to school with jewellery. We do have some that come with rings and necklaces. It is mainly for health and safety reasons."

Kevin Hall, assistant director of education at City of York Council, said the matter was an issue for schools and it had not been raised to him by any schools.

Sheffield MP Meg Munn has secured an adjournment debate in the House of Commons tonight on body piercing. The Labour MP is concerned about the health risks associated with piercing.

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, February 27, 2003