SCHOOL bosses will not be prosecuted after an eight-year-old girl swallowed a dangerous chemical kept in a headteacher's office.

The pupil at Cadishead Primary in Salford had been sent to see headteacher Michael Gaskill.

It is believed the youngster thought the bag of caustic soda was sherbet after spotting it in a plastic bag on a shelf. She dipped her finger in to the bag and sucked it.

The girl was rushed to hospital and suffered damage to her windpipe, throat, tongue and mouth.

The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into the incident, but say they will not be taking any further action against the school.

A spokesman for the HSE said: "It is a private use issue for the school."

Salford local education authority bosses have already launched their own inquiry, which is due to be completed soon.

Warning

It is expected that a warning will be issued to all schools about the storage of dangerous chemicals.

Mr Gaskill had borrowed the powerful detergent from the school caretaker to clear drains at his home.

He took the crystals back to school, but the caretaker was taken ill so he kept them in his office.

Chairman of the governors at the school David Ollerenshaw said governors had "100 per cent confidence" in Mr Gaskill.

The governors are due to consider the incident once the local education authority report is complete.

Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is corrosive and causes severe burns. Under guidelines issued to schools it should be kept under lock and key and out of reach of children.

The chemical is normally sold in containers fitted with childproof tops and with a clearly-marked warning sticker.