A 14-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl has won a victory in a battle to wear trousers in class.

Katie Hunter took on St Robert of Newminster School, Washington, Wearside, claiming it was discriminating against girls with its skirts-only policy.

Now governors have made a U-turn and will allow them the choice of trousers and skirts.

Katie said: "I am delighted at this decision and I can't wait to have the choice about what I wear to school."

She said she was more comfortable and felt less self-conscious wearing trousers.

Katie has been supported by her father, Mike, and mother Catherine, a member of the school's parent-teacher association.

They have campaigned for about two years for a change in the uniform policy and had contacted Education Secretary Estelle Morris and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

The chairman of governors, Father Philip Carroll, said: "We have had the uniform policy in school under review for a while. The result of that has been a restructuring."

* Two years ago, Gateshead schoolgirl Jo Hale won her fight to wear trousers when Whickham Comprehensive changed its uniform policy in the face of legal action.