PUPILS at a boys' school have been banned from carrying camera phones after concerns that images of youngsters could end up in the hands of paedophiles.

The move by St Aidan's School, in Sunderland, is believed to be the first of its kind and comes after figures showed a massive increase in child pornography, blamed on the Internet.

There are fears that the popular new-generation phones could take pictures of a child without their knowledge, and be sent to other users and possibly Internet sites.

Headteacher Tony McCourt said: "Although we have no concrete evidence that these phones are being misused at the school, we are taking a cautious approach.

"In the past, we have allowed pupils to bring mobiles into school so long as they are switched off, and most have respected that.

"I am led to believe there is a possibility that images from them could end up on websites, and we are taking a common-sense attitude."

Wendy Donkin, who has a 12-year-old son at the school, said: "It is very worrying to think these photographs can be sent anywhere almost immediately, so I welcome the school's cautious approach."

Child pornography crimes have risen 1,500 per cent since 1998, and there are fears among child welfare experts that the phones could be used by paedophiles to trade images of child abuse.

Detective Sergeant Alan Batey, head of Northumbria Police's Computer Crime Unit, said: "Like with computers, we would ask parents to be vigilant about what their children are doing with these phones.

"It is important they talk to them about the dangers, and a check is kept on who they might be contacting."