GOVERNORS at a school in Kent where a pupil was told to remove a chain and crucifix from around her neck are to discuss the row at their next meeting.

Fiona Miller, head teacher at Robert Napier School, Gillingham, says she will make the governors aware of 13-year-old Samantha Devine's request to continue wearing the cross and chain.

But Ms Miller says she is standing by her "no jewellery" policy at the school. She added: "I am happy to take the request from Mr and Mrs Devine to the next governors' meeting. In the meantime we would hope that Samantha continues her previous respect of this policy.

"If Samantha needs to visibly demonstrate her Christian beliefs we are happy for her to wear a lapel crucifix. This is about a ban on wearing dangling jewellery. It would be wrong to portray this as a religious issue."

Samantha, of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, was asked to remove the necklace and crucifix last week because the school said it breached health and safety rules.

Samantha's father, devout Catholic Danny Devine, says he feels his daughter is being singled out because of her religious beliefs.

The row over Samantha's crucifix has hit national headlines and sparked outrage among members of Medway's Catholic community.