URGENT security talks are being held at a York school today after two young children wandered off the school grounds.

The reception class children, aged four to five, yesterday walked away from Our Lady's Primary School in Acomb during the lunch break.

Head teacher Tracey Ralph said the pair were retrieved by two members of staff after the youngsters decided to go and play at one of their homes.

She said: "We are today holding talks with our lunchtime staff to review how this happened and to talk about ways of making sure nothing like this happens again."

The children's disappearance was reported to a member of staff by another child, and they were found shortly after they left, on Windsor Garth, close to the school drive.

Mrs Ralph said: "We are delighted it was reported straight away and the children were found a matter of minutes after their disappearance."

The head teacher issued a letter yesterday to parents of children in the reception class giving details of the incident.

She said: "I telephoned both sets of parents. By the time I finished on the telephone, the staff had returned with both children who were, thank God, unharmed."

She then issued an appeal to parents.

"I would be grateful if you would remind all your children this evening that they must not under any circumstances leave the school grounds."

The head teacher praised the swift and calm response of staff, but the incident was a shock to parents.

One mother of a child in the same class said: "It's really frightening. That could have been my daughter. She is only four-and-a-half years old.

"Obviously this is different to someone taking the children, but it's near a main road. If they had gone much further, anything could have happened."

Updated: 15:00 Thursday, March 27, 2003