A band of animals which have decided to go back to school are causing problems for a Witham school.

Frolicing foxes and boisterous badgers are using the playing field behind the Howbridge Junior School in Dengie Close as a playground but with their lack of social graces, and the absence of owners with plastic bags, the wild trespassers are leaving the smooth grass covered with unwelcome droppings.

Headteacher Mary Armson says the trouble only started when the building work on the nearby Maltings Lane estate got under way.

"It must be driving them our way," she said.

"The badgers and the foxes have decided to cross our field on their way to the river. I wouldn't mind, but they must gambol around on the way and leave a lot of droppings on the grass.

"It exposes the children to the possibility of picking up an infection, so I must try to stop it."

Mrs Armson has been advised to put down a special foul-smelling oil called Renardine, which, she hopes, will cause the foxes to move on and do their business elsewhere.

"I don't think it works on badgers, but we shall see," she addded.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.