A school has taken away all the mirrors in its loos because pupils were spending too long looking into them. The move by William Farr Comprehensive School in the village of Welton, Lincolnshire, has been described by a parent as "a bit extreme".

       But headteacher Grant Edgar said mirrors can encourage pupils to spend too long in the toilets and often in large groups. He told the BBC: "This can make it uncomfortable for some students to use the toilets."

       Mr Edgar argued that the measure was taken as the school faced issues between lessons which were affecting punctuality. Youngsters who need a mirror for medical purposes would be able to ask for one at the comprehensive's reception, according to the headteacher.

       Since the school took down its mirrors, graffiti has appeared, demanding they are put back up in an apparent protest from at least one disgruntled youngster.

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       A parent told the BBC she thought the decision was "quite strange", adding it would impact her daughter who needs a mirror to remove her contact lenses.

       She questioned whether the move would solve the problems, while another parent said it was "probably not a bad thing".

       That parent said her daughter can no longer check her hair or that her eyelashes haven't fallen off.

       But psychologist Emma Kenny told the BBC children should be part of schools' decisions, adding William Farr should look at the reasons children are taking too much time in their toilets.

       She said even with "lovely teachers" and support from a school, it can still feel to a child as if they are "running a gauntlet".