The mother of a 12-year-old boy expelled for supplying drugs at school has appealed for her son to be returned to classes.

The boy was expelled from Clacton County High School earlier this month after he was discovered with cannabis in April.

He has not received any formal schooling since he was caught by a senior teacher selling the herbal drug to a 15-year-old boy who was carrying a knife.

Both were cautioned by police - the 11-year-old for supplying drugs and the older boy for possession.

The 15-year-old has returned to lessons and will not face any further action.

And now the younger boy's mother has called for an appeal in an attempt to overturn the expulsion order.

If it fails, a new place would be found for him at another school.

A spokesman for Essex Education Authority said the appeal would be held shortly into the new term.

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