A HIGH school has urged parents and pupils not to bring energy drinks to school due to health fears.

Darwen Aldridge Academy has implemented a new rule this term that could see energy drinks brought into school confiscated.

It is thought to be one of only a handful of schools in the country that is cutting out the controversial caffeine and sugar drinks.

Principal Brendan Loughran wrote to parents of his concerns, citing recent research evidence that claims the drinks are harmful. Mr Loughran said that although they had only seen a few incidents at the school, children were visibly less able to concentrate after drinking them.

He said the reaction from parents had been encouraging and that pupils are learning about the health risks of energy drinks.

It comes after a Government advisor claimed that the drinks can cause major behavioural problems in children. Back in January, restaurant founder John Vincent, who compiled the School Food Plan for education secretary Michael Gove, said the mix of caffeine and sugar made them ‘as bad as drugs’.

After he recommended they should be banned from schools and possibly from sale to youngsters, Morrisons supermarket banned children under the age of 16 from buying them.

The British Soft Drinks Association has also said that high-caffeine energy drinks are not recommended for children.

In his letter to parents, Mr Loughran said: “We discourage students from bringing energy drinks into the academy to consume.

“There is evidence that the high caffeine and sugar content should not be consumed by young people and could potentially lead to health problems.

“Should students have energy drinks in the academy from the start of the summer term, they will be confiscated.”

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph he added: “It’s part of our health education and pupils are taking the responsibilty to look after their own health. Although there have only been isolated incidents, we have seen students struggle to concentrate with energy drinks. They do affect their learning.

“Since asking for parents support at the start of term, we haven’t had any of these drinks come into school.”