Schools on Merseyside are being urged to ban the use of mobile phone among school kids.

Knowsley Council wants to ban all mobiles in primary schools and restrict the use of handsets in secondary schools during the day.

Councillors have introduced the proposals in response to concerns that mobile phone might damage children's health. The council is also worried about kids becoming the victims of mobile phone-related crime.

Councillor Graham Wright, Chair of Knowsley's Education, Training and Culture Scrutiny Committee, said it was clear that there "was support for a total ban on mobile phones in primary schools".

"Secondary schools requested more flexibility for students who need a phone for personal safety reasons when travelling to and from school - and we have responded to that in formulating the guidelines," he said.

"We have also taken on board Department of Heath advice which recommends that the widespread use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged for non-essential calls.

"Crime statistics from Merseyside Police suggest that mobile phones can attract potential thieves and increase the risk of personal injury during a theft," he said.

Research by the council has found that many Knowsley schools already had a ban in place.

Last week, sales of tin-foil hats plummeted following the publication of research which found that using a mobile phone would not increase your chances of contracting cerebral cancer. ®