A girl has agreed to have her highlights removed to avoid being kicked out of Southend's Cecil Jones High School.

Kirstie Holmes got the red and blond highlights on her 12th birthday on August 7, but her school is insisting she has them removed because it is against school regulations.

Kirstie, of Whitegate Road, Southend, has now agreed to have her hair done within the next two weeks.

Her mother Sally Holmes said they were reluctant to comply but they agreed so Kirstie could continue to go to school.

She said: "I think it's ridiculous to threaten to kick out a 12-year-old from school for this. Her hair is not affecting anyone. It isn't anything outrageous. I think it's silly.

"But there is nothing we can do. I've got no choice. Kirstie doesn't want to leave the school. All her friends are there."

The school said previously that Kirstie knew before she had her hair done that only natural hair colour was allowed.

The year eight pupil was placed in isolation when she previously refused to have the highlights removed.

This meant she couldn't go during breaks and had to eat lunch away from her friends in a separate room.