A Hampshire MP has branded teachers' calls to ban the use of Army enrolment methods in schools "nonsense".

Despite the Ministry of Defence saying it does not recruit in schools and only visits students when invited, delegates at the National Union of Teachers conference voted to oppose military recruitment in the classroom if misleading propaganda was seen to be used.

But New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne, a Territorial Army officer, who served in Iraq five years ago, said: "This is nonsense.

"The services do not recruit in schools. You can join at 17 but not without written parental consent. It's important military presentation teams are allowed to make pupils aware of the challenges and opportunities of service life.

"These opportunities should not be denied to disadvantaged children. Teachers would do better to concern themselves with improving school discipline."

Teachers at the conference were especially worried youngsters in deprived areas were being targeted, as they do not have the same opportunities as children from wealthier backgrounds.