THE parents of an eight-year-old girl who returned home from school covered in bruises say their daughter was abused by bullies.

But senior staff at Loudwater Combined refuted the allegations, claiming little Louise Birkett picked up the injuries playing rough games with older boys during break times.

Police are currently investigating the matter after father Steven Birkett reported the incident on Thursday, May 5, when his daughter arrived home in tears.

The 38-year-old, of Wye Road, said: "The school does not seem at all interested. As usual it's one word against another, so why should anyone believe an eight-year-old girl?

"It's important to get something done about it. When I reported it to teachers they said it was her fault. They didn't listen.

"They said she'd been annoying the other kids by wanting to play her own games."

It is alleged more than a year of abuse came to a climax on Wednesday, May 4, when the primary school pupil was tied up with a skipping rope and dragged across the playground. The family claim their daughter was also tied to a tree stump.

Senior staff met with Mr and Mrs Birkett on Thursday, May 5, in a bid to resolve the issue, but the family were less than pleased with the outcome.

Mother Jane Birkett, said: "The school reckons it was a game that got out of hand rubbish. This has happened too many times to be a rough game."

Thames Valley Police confirmed it had been contacted by the family in connection with a bullying complaint.

A police spokesman said: "Officers are currently investigating the circumstances behind the complaint."

Ann McGinty, headteacher at the School Way school, added: "Concerns have been raised by a parent about an incident yesterday.

"The school is investigating this fully with the parent and the police. At present, there is no suggestion that this was a bullying incident."