The leader of Bradford Council has been urged to help to resolve a row between parents and governors over school uniform rules.

Keighley Councillor Andy Mudd, who is backing parents at Oakbank School, Keighley, wants Councillor Margaret Eaton to take action.

Parents have presented a 750-name petition to City Hall, seeking support for their campaign. It urges councillors to back them in their wish to be allowed to buy a school badge to attach to new blazers and to buy the blazer at the shop of their choice. But headteacher John Roberts and the governors have insisted the uniform must be bought from a certain shop with the badge already sewn on.

Coun Mudd (Lab, Keighley West) said: "I have asked Ian Greenwood, leader of the Labour group, to write to Margaret Eaton, asking her to back the parents and ask the governors to change their policy. And I am asking her to make direct representations to the headteacher and the governors. I want the council to swing behind the parents."

He was calling for action before the next school governors' meeting on Thursday, September 28.

Coun Eaton said today she would respond directly to Coun Mudd's statement as soon as she received it.

Meanwhile, she felt it was largely a matter for the governors to resolve as part of local management of schools.

"But I think it's dreadfully sad that this issue has caused such distress to people.

"I have sympathy with the parents because I believe in freedom of choice and I don't think this hard line does anything to enhance the relationship between parents, pupils governors and the head."

Pupils had faced being put on detention and eventually excluded from school if they failed to wear the correct uniform. But Mr Roberts and the governors revoked the threat and agreed the issue would be discussed again by governors.

Mr Roberts said: "I hope the situation can be resolved. Most parents have adhered to the uniform policy, some reluctantly.''

He said about six pupils were not in the correct uniform.