BISHOPSTOKE schoolboy Robert Aftanas gave his head teacher a good ear-bashing and got a sympathetic hearing.

The 11-year-old was among more than 400 pupils at Stoke Park Junior School who were allowed to make as much as noise as they wanted.

The playground din was all for the nationwide One Minute's Noise event - which is part of the NSPCC campaign to raise awareness of child abuse.

Head teacher Andrew Heyes said: "The message that we are trying to get over to adults from the minute's noise is that children need to be heard."

Speaking to pupils he said: "If you have worries or concerns you can tell us at school or speak to your mums and dads."

Mr Heyes said the noisy play-ground session, which was also listened to by school governor and local councillor Trevor Mignot, was a fun way of getting the serious message across.

Robert, a Year Six pupil, of Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh, enjoyed the golden opportunity of being able to shout at his head teacher.

But Eastleigh MP David Chidgey was unable to tune into the noisy school session. His plans to get to the school were thwarted after his car broke down.

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