A REDDITCH school where 90 people were burned in an Ash Wednesday service has sent the ashes to be looked at by experts.

The Advertiser reported a number of pupils from St Augustine's High School had to go to A&E last week after they had cold ash smudged onto their foreheads on Wednesday.

The school has confirmed a total of 90 people - 73 students, 16 staff and the chair of the governors - were burned.

It said the ash was provided by a priest from the Diocese of Birmingham, which sourced it from a company in Aldridge and an investigation is underway.

Redditch Advertiser:

Head of school Gerald O'Connor said: "We want to get to the bottom of it.

"We source our ashes from an external provider. We know there are processes to follow, and that is under investigation. We have asked for that investigation to happen."

He said that the ashes are being analysed by external experts.

"A subsequent report will be made available to all stakeholders and any recommendations will be actioned accordingly," he added.

"Saint Augustine's Catholic High School treats students' health and safety as paramount."

One mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "The school has said it’s going to investigate. But what are we meant to do now? Our children are walking around with big burns on their foreheads."