A FAMILY has called for a teacher to be reprimanded after she asked whether an overweight teenager was pregnant.

Gemma Sharples, 16, was attending a presentation night at her former school in Salford when the incident happened.

As she walked into the hall at Buile Hill High to receive her GCSE certificates, the woman teacher sat a few feet away remarked: ''Is she pregnant?''

But the comment, to another teacher, was overheard by Gemma's mother, Christina, who was sat directly in front.

Christina said: ''I turned round and told the teacher that she was my daughter and that she was not pregnant. But she just turned away, either in embarrassment or shame.''

Teased

In the past Gemma had been teased at school and called Mr Blobby.

Gemma said: ''I actually had a great evening and enjoyed my time at the school.

''But the teacher should not have said what she did. I am thinking now - am I fat and do I look pregnant?''

Her father George has made a formal complaint to the school and Salford Local Education Authority.

He said: ''Gemma is now being jokingly asked by her friends whether she is pregnant. Gemma takes it outwardly in good spirit, but inwardly she is very hurt.

''Gemma is now so upset she wants to go on a crash diet. This teacher has done a lot of harm with her thoughtless comments.''

Gemma, who is now at Pendleton College, studying to be a social worker, said: ''You would have thought that if she had to say something she could have been more discreet.''

George added: ''Gemma is at a difficult and vulnerable age and comments like this don't help.''

Headteacher at Buile Hill, Mrs Gena Merrett, said: ''An entirely honest mistake was made by a member of staff and this comment was overheard by a parent.

''The teacher apologised to the mother immediately. The member of staff concerned is genuinely sorry. We now hope to resolve this matter with the family.''