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Schoolgirls were hunted at knifepoint by a third pupil after an argument on the way home from school.

The youngsters, aged 10 and 11, ran crying to their home after a third girl pulled the four-inch blade from her schoolbag.

A man was able to take the knife from the 11-year-old girl.

The mum of the older girl said: “I heard their cries and came to the door as I knew something must be wrong.

“This is such a terrible thing to happen and I want everyone to know it.

“Our girls are in a real state.”

One girl was suspended from the school and now a petition - which gained 150 signatories in 24 hours - has been raised by two mums to get her excluded permanently.

The incident happened in Drongan on Tuesday afternoon on a path which cuts through the football pitches.

The victims arrived home around 3.30pm.

All three girls are in Primary 7 at a school in East Ayrshire.

The mum revealed: “I believe the knife was in this girl’s bag for quite some time, though the school claim she must have just got it from home.

“My daughter was walking home and believes something fell from this other girl’s bag and there was a bit of a fight in which my daughter was scratched.

“It turned really vicious and then a concealed knife was produced and the girls turned away and ran. A well known man in the village was at the shops and confiscated the knife from the girl. He then took her round to her mum’s.”

The mum added: “The school was unhelpful and said it did not happen in school time. The Council was made aware of it and they were really nice. The girl was suspended straight away and a school board meeting will discuss it.”

East Ayrshire Council said it is offering support to the children involved.

Acting education head Linda McAulay-Griffiths said: “On Wednesday March 7 we were alerted to an incident outside a primary school, and after the school day, involving a pupil with a knife.

“Whilst there was no physical harm caused to anyone, the matter is being fully investigated and we are offering appropriate support to those involved.”

East Ayrshire police said:“We were made aware of an incident involving an 11 year-old girl being in possession of an offensive weapon in Coronation Road, Drongan.

“Enquiries were carried out and an 11 -year-old girl was reported to the Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration.”