PARENTS have been spotted smoking cannabis on the school run, it has been revealed.

Worried mums and dads saw individuals smoking spliffs as they dropped their children off at St John’s Primary in Radcliffe.

The school has reported the issue to police and has warned that parents that they need to 'set a good example' for their children. The school deputy headteacher Deborah Binns sent a letter to parents on February 11 explaining the situation.

It is not known how many parents were seen taking the drugs but police are to monitor the area in the coming weeks.

The letter to parents says: “We have had concerning reports that parents have been using cannabis around the school premises as they drop off and collect their children. This has been reported by parents and has been noticed by some of the older children.

“This is a serious safeguarding concern and if further complaints are brought to our attention, we will notify the relevant authorities. We have informed the community police service and they are likely to be keeping a close eye on the situation.

“Please respect our school as a place of learning and make sure you set an appropriate example within the community.”

Headteacher Jason Harvey added: “Our deputy head had a couple of concerned parents come in on Thursday morning and that’s why we sent the letter out. They have noticed it going on when they were bringing their children into school in the morning. We don’t know how many parents were seen using cannabis.

“We felt there was a need to send a letter to remind people that this is a place of learning and we are trying to set a good example for the children. We are trying to make sure that the school has a good reputation.

“There are lots of really, really great parents and we want everyone to remember that this is a school. I can’t legislate for people’s actions outside but this is a place of learning. There are things are appropriate and things that aren’t.”

Parents reacted to the news by posting on the Spotted Radcliffe Facebook page. Sarah Sharples wrote: “Surely people who smoke it can wait til they get home or at least away from the school to smoke it.”

Phil Burrows added: “It's totally inappropriate, you aren't setting an example, and 90 per cent of the parents of that school would not have their children in that kind of environment.”