CRICKET-MAD Teenager Daniel Pethick was sent home from school after turning up with a blond streak in his hair – just like England Ashes hero Kevin Pietersen. Daniel, 15 of St Anns Chapel near Gunnislake, arrived at Callington Community School, a specialist sports college, on the day England won the Ashes, with a bright blond streak through his hair, which did not go down well with his teachers. Daniel, who plays for the school cricket team, was emulating his England hero but he was told that cricket fan or not, his new hairdo wasn't within the school rules and he was sent home. Daniel, who is a member of a well-known South East Cornwall cricketing family, and who also plays for Gunnislake, was collected from the school gates by his mother Nicky, a Derriford Hospital nurse, after getting a phone call from head teacher Steve Kenning. Daniel's family have seen some humour in the incident, but at the same time have expressed their annoyance, describing the stance taken by the school as ridiculous. Nicky, who coloured Daniel's hair herself, said she spoke to Mr Kenning and told him she was unhappy about her son being sent home just because he had had his hair dyed. She was told that Daniel could not return to his lessons until his hair was back to its normal colour.

Excited 'Mr Kenning said to me that Daniel is a well- behaved boy and that he had no quibbles with him in any other areas apart from his hair,' said Nicky. Dad Rodney has also expressed his annoyance. 'It was just a bit of fun and his mum did a good job. 'We have all been very excited about winning the Ashes and have only just stopped celebrating. 'I think the school have gone over the top a bit, they could just have asked Daniel to get his hair back to normal as soon as possible, but actually sending him home was crazy.' Mum Nicky was even more incredulous when the school rang her two days after Daniel had been sent home to ask why he had not returned. 'We couldn't just colour over the blond as it would have turned green so we had to get a special chemical to do the job. 'His aunt Alicia, a hairdresser, did the repair for us, but it is currently a reddish brown before it will grow back to its normal colour.' Daniel, currently in his GCSE year, returned to school having missed four days of lessons. Callington Community College did not make a comment.