Students at a Shropshire school have had their leavers’ dinner axed after a number of them acted in an “uncivilised manner” on their last day, reportedly throwing flour and egg bombs.

Phil Loveday, headteacher at Bridgnorth Endowed School, has sent letters to the parents informing them of his “regret” over the decision.

But he today said he stood by his decision and said he felt he needed to make a “clear statement about the standards of behaviour he expected”.

However, parents and students are reeling after already spending hundreds of pounds on outfits and transport for the event.

Parent Viv Hulme has spent £200 on a ballgown for her daughter Laura who was looking forward to the prom-style event which was due to be held on June 25 at The Punch Bowl pub just outside Bridgnorth.

Laura and seven friends, who are all Year 11 students who left school on May 22, had also booked a limousine as a treat to take them to the dinner and had chipped in themselves to cover the cost.

Mr Loveday today said: “It will be disappointing for the students who conducted themselves in the expected manner.”

But parents are angry about the news and Mrs Hulme has arranged for a meeting to be held at the Bandon Arms Pub in Low Town on Tuesday at 8pm.

She wants parents who want to get the ball reinstated to turn up.

She said: “The money we have already spent is one driving force but as much as I don’t condone the behaviour of these few children, I see the school-leavers’ ball as a celebration of 11 years of compulsory education.”