SENIOR councillors last night approved proposals to allow school staff to physically intervene in situations involving disruptive pupils.

Darlington Borough Council has approved a "restrictive physical intervention" policy, outlining to what extent teachers and other staff can use physical action.

Councillor Chris McEwan said: "It is important to say that most teachers will never need to use such intervention, but it's important we develop a policy and that teachers and teaching staff are aware of it."

The policy stresses other methods should be used first.