Wild Geese

Hugging has got out of hand says the head teacher

Some parents have accused Mr Kenning of over-reacting after he issued the warning on Callington Community College's website.

"To avoid putting anyone at risk, please avoid hugging," he wrote.

Mr Kenning said on Friday he was concerned that huggers were invading the "personal space" of other pupils.

"This has led to some students believing that it is OK to go up to anyone and hug them, sometimes inappropriately.

"This is very serious, not only for the victim, but also for anyone accused of acting inappropriately. To avoid putting anyone at risk, please avoid hugging."

He told BBC News: "We just said to them please don't do it as often, which they have done.

"They still hug occasionally. We haven't banned hugging and we never will ban hugging.

"It's about respecting people's personal space, that's all."

He added: "It's like saying: 'Don't run down the corridor', which we do in case they fall over or bump into each other."