TODAY we learn the worrying news that 450 new school staff in Lancashire have still to be vetted before the start of the new term.

Lancashire County Council said the staff are still awaiting clearance, while 40 classes in Blackburn with Darwen face being without teachers on the first day of term.

Dinner ladies, caretakers, cleaners and teachers do not know if they can start work because the national Criminal Records Bureau became deluged with vetting requests from across the country.

Pupils may be sent home as a result.

Just one word should be ringing through the corridors of the Bureau today -- Soham.

I'm sure that we don't need to remind anybody in authority that children's safety is the number one priority. Full stop.

Quite how the Bureau got into this mess is still unclear although it is claiming the backlog started after the disappearance of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Our question today is: What would have happened if Soham had never happened?

Would there be unchecked staff on school premises?

The Secondary Heads' Association said it warned a year ago this would happen and, had anyone listened, we wouldn't be in this mess.

And the NASUWT teaching union believes existing teachers will now have to cover up gaps caused by the delay.

Whether warnings were made, listened to or ignored is irrelevant today.

With Holly and Jessica still very much on everybody's minds, it is vital our youngsters' safety is given priority.

No stone should be left unturned. No corners cut.

Get it sorted. Quickly and efficiently. For the sake of our children.