PARENTS of school children are being reassured following media speculation that police checks on education staff are not as strict as they should be.

The move follows reports over alleged delays by some authorities in checking up on education workers' possible criminal backgrounds.

It comes as school caretaker Ian Huntley and his classroom assistant girlfriend face charges in connection with the double murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham three weeks ago.

Now, with the new term due to start next week, Lancashire education chiefs have assured parents that the county council checks all their staff who work with children.

An education spokesman said: "We require all candidates for positions in schools to declare any criminal convictions they may have. Because of the nature and context of their work, no conviction, irrespective of what is was for is regarded as spent.

"We then seek enhanced disclosure of criminal background on all successful candidates through the Criminal Records Bureau. In addition to any criminal record, an enhanced disclosure will reveal any other soft information the police may feel it is appropriate to share with us, such as whether an individual is the subject of an ongoing investigation. It will also reveal whether they are on the Department for Education's list of people prohibited from working with children.

"In addition to these measures, we advise all schools to satisfy themselves through careful referencing and interviewing, that potential employees are safe to work with children."