HEAD teachers have been told by the Government to actively discourage pupils under 16 from using mobile phones.

Despite no research to prove that mobile telephones pose a definite health risk, Education Secretary David Blunkett has written to schools urging them to be proactive.

Guidance sent this month states: "Children aged 15 and under are likely to be more vulnerable to any unrecognised health risks from mobile phone use than are adults because their nervous systems are still developing."

The letter also claimed that youngster's heads are more likely to conduct microwave signals because of "their smaller heads and thinner skulls".

Head teachers in the region have recognised the problems associated with mobile phones with some schools banning their use while others actively discourage it. But schools recognise that it is a comfort for parents to know their child could call in an emergency.

David Grigg, chairman of Durham Association of Secondary Headteachers, said: "We will address it in the new academic term."

It will be up to individual head teachers how strong a line they take. Mr Grigg, who also runs Framwellgate Moor School, said: "We will continue to discourage rather than ban."

National Association of Head Teachers representative John Heslop said: "Many schools are happy with the facility that mobile phones have brought to them. Youngsters can contact parents in an emergency or can make arrangements to stay behind at school when it is unexpected.

"The downside if youngsters have mobiles in school is they use them at inappropriate times."