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Around 70 pupils were put in ‘isolation’ at The Grange School in Runcorn after they refused to remove charity ribbons from their blazers.

Furious parents complained that their children should be in class preparing for GCSEs.

They said most of the school’s ire had been over students wearing yellow Marie Curie Cancer Care daffodils.

Lily Gaynor, 16, called the ECHO from the isolation unit, where she and around 20 other pupils were being held.

Writing at about noon, she said there were 60-70 children excluded from class over the issue.

While on the phone a member of staff asked her to hang up.

Parents and pupils say Marie Curie ribbons are being worn because of the number of students whose parents or grandparents have suffered or died from cancer.

The school’s policy also provoked many of the teenagers to don the ribbons in solidarity with their classmates.

Lily said two rooms were now being used for isolated students.

She added that one teacher had also shown his support by donning a yellow ribbon.

Corinne Versleys, whose daughter Caitlin Mulchrane is among those in isolation, said: “The Grange School are putting children in the isolation unit for wearing those flowers.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. All it is is a little flower.

“The majority of kids wearing them are dealing with family members with cancer and they’re being told to remove them. I think it’s absolutely pathetic.”

Lily said: “We have been taken out of lessons while we have got our GCSEs because we won’t take off our charity badges.

“We’ve been here about an hour. They’re planning on keeping us here all day.

“It jeopardises our learning and we’ve got exams soon.

“We’ve got cancer badges and ribbons on our blazers.

“They’re saying it isn’t part of school uniform and because of singling out charities over others.”

Anne Jackson, North West Cancer Research, took to social media to support the pupils.

She said: "We do so much work with schools and colleges trying to raise awareness of cancer, its symptoms, the importance of research and the vital support we need from the public.

"These young people want to make a difference and they should be encouraged and applauded not put into 'hiding'. Shame on all involved."

The school has been contacted for comment.

Interim headteacher Pam Wright was not available.