Last updated at 09:31 24 October 2007

A school apologised today after telling tearful children to line up for a photograph by the colour of their skin.

Parents condemned the decision by Sandhurst Junior School in Lewisham, south London, to arrange the children from the lightest skinned to the darkest.

One parent claimed the intention had been to make life easier for the photographer - so he did not have to keep rearranging his reflector screens.

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More than 100 boys and girls aged between seven and 11 were grouped in this way for the school photo.

In a separate statement later, the school acknowledged that there had been an "error of judgment".

Sandhurst headteacher Val Hughes said: "On this occasion, teaching staff took the professional advice of the photographer.

"We can see this was an error of judgment and we regret this greatly.

"Our school has an excellent record of promoting diversity and I will personally be writing to apologise to all parents.

"I will also raise our concerns with the photographer to ensure this never happens again."

One parent told the Evening Standard her daughter had come home in tears and said: "My school's so racist."