THE parents of a 12-year-old boy expelled from a County Durham school for pointing a gun at teachers have made an official complaint about his "harsh" punishment.

Paul and Debra Atherton, who refuse to believe their son, Brian, could have threatened a teacher, say Blackfyne Community School, Consett, went "over the top" and that their boy is not a bad lad.

Like too many parents, they cannot accept their child is in the wrong. Such loyalty may be touching but it is misguided and does their son no favours in the long run. The Athertons say the ball-bearing pistol he brought into school was little more than a plastic toy. But if it had gone off, someone could have been blinded.

Instead of criticising the school, Mr and Mrs Atherton should try educating their son about how to behave like a civilised human being.

WHILE parents and children need to learn to keep unhealthy snacks to a minimum, don't food manufacturers also bear some responsibility for how they promote their goods? What chance do impressionable youngsters have against the subversive and aggressive marketing of snacks like Kellogg's Real Fruit Winders, given the "tooth rot" award by the Food Commission last year for its deceitful quantities of sugar? Kellogg's has used TV advertising as well as tie-ins with children's magazines like Smash Hits to promote its rolls of sugary gloop, described as "real fruit" (that should please the parents) on the packet. But (look at this, kids) the sticky goo is rolled up in cartoon strips featuring sinister fruit characters and the address of an internet chatroom encouraging children to "wind" people up. (So it's wicked after all). Whatever happened to honest, old-fashioned, tooth-rotting sweets?

ONE of my relatives received his OBE last week, on the same day as David Beckham. I spoke to his 75-year-old mother, who was at Buckingham Palace with him, later.

"Beckham was gorgeous, his hair looked so lovely tied back and his suit was so smart. And Victoria, in the row behind us, she was just beautiful..." And so she went on, and on. She even queued up for Beckham's autograph.

It wasn't until later it occurred to me she hadn't even mentioned the Queen. This, from a staunch royalist, someone I had always considered to be one of Her Majesty's biggest fans. Proof, as if it were needed, that Posh and Becks really are the new royalty.

I AM all for the ban on using mobile phones while driving. Anything that encourages us to concentrate more at the wheel has got to be a good thing. But how about legislation to help mothers cope with the distraction of squabbling children in the back? Could family cars be fitted with glass screens, like in taxis? Or how about compulsory straight jackets for the under tens?

DECLAN Donnelly has split with girlfriend Clare Buckfield because he had "no time for nookie". But he now faces his toughest career challenge yet. He and Clare are best friends with his TV partner Ant and girlfriend Lisa. For many years, they have worked together, played together and holidayed together. They even live two doors away from each other. Now everything changes. Dec may have more time for nookie, but will his relationship with Ant survive?