EDUCATION chiefs are threatening to take legal action against a mother to resolve a wrangle over school drinking water.

Steven Tindall, five, has been kept away from Whitecliffe Primary School, Carlin How, by his mother, Lisa, since early September because the school refuses to allow him to drink flavoured water during lessons.

Miss Tindall, 23, says that Steven retches if he drinks plain water and has refused to back down over the matter.

School governors have backed headteacher Gill Steele's decision to ban soft drinks, including flavoured water, during lessons. All 106 pupils at the school are provided with bottles which can be refilled from a water cooler in the classroom during the day.

Redcar and Cleveland Council assistant director of education, David Smith, has said Steven would be allowed flavoured water in class if there was a genuine medical reason for it.

But a spokesman for the council said on Wednesday: "We have spoken to Miss Tindall again and she is adamant that Steven will not return to Whitecliffe School while he is unable to have his flavoured water in the classroom.

"She has also declined to consider placing him in an alternative school; however, she does tell us she will go to her GP.

"Unless medical evidence is forthcoming, the council must formally interview her with a view to taking legal proceedings and we will begin that process next week."