Pressure from disappointed pupils at a South East Cornwall primary school has helped to force Millennium Dome chiefs into a policy U-turn.

Youngsters from St Nicholas C of E school, Downderry were dismayed to hear rules meant a planned tour of the Dome would only involve three out of the 14 zones.

They would also be barred from the Body, Timekeepers and Play zones, and the three they would be shown around would be chosen by Dome organisers. Letters of objection from the youngsters were sent to Tony Blair, education secretary David Blunkett, and new Dome boss Pierre Yves Gerbeau. Yesterday The Cornish Times was told by Dome organisers the rules which had governed school visits have now been made more flexible.

The school had applied for some of the free 'Millennium Experience' tickets to allow one million children through the Dome this year. The cost of the trip was still, however, to total £1,500 for travel and accommodation.

Head teacher Lindsey Fear said: 'Initially, there was no news about the children being banned from certain parts of the Dome. We expected a structured visit but when three of the most popular areas were restricted to us, we were extremely disappointed.'

A spokesman for the 'Millennium Experience', Angeline Burton, said: 'The education tours programme is a structured visit lasting four hours and designed to take children to those zones we believe the most beneficial for school studies.

'However, we have decided to allow children to experience other zones if they have any time remaining at the end of the structured tour, and this will include the Body Zone, Time Keepers Zone and Play Zone if they so wish.'

The change of policy delighted Mrs Fear who said: 'It shows a difference can be made.

'We were extremely disappointed but it seems our complaints have paid off and we can now enjoy the full experience.'