PARTY poopers cancelled an infants' Christmas bash at the last minute after their parents complained about the way it had been organised.

Horrified parents bombarded Ashley Infants School with complaints after they were told five and six-year-old pupils were banned from the party unless their parents had signed their homework books 60 times.

They feared youngsters would miss out through no fault of their own and told senior staff it was unfair.

Staff at the school changed their minds and said all the children could attend but cancelled it just two hours before it was due to start when parents commented on the decision on Facebook.

The Year 1 pupils at the New Milton school already had their party clothes with them when their parents were told at 1.17pm that the 3.15pm party was cancelled.

"It is absolutely unbelievable" said one parent. "I have signed the reading log 60 times since September but there could be many reasons why others haven't done it.

"We thought it was ridiculous that children would be left out so we were pleased when they changed their minds. We were shocked to heard the governors had cancelled the party because the children were really looking forward to it."

Kelly Lacey, whose five-year-old daughter Lillie-Jo attends the school, said the decision was unfair and left many children in tears.

"The children have worked really hard and to turn round and break their hearts in this way is just wrong."

She added: "I've never had a problem with the school before, it's a brilliant school, but this was unfair."

A message sent to parents at 9.17am on Wednesday said: "Children attending disco today should be collected from classrooms at 4.15pm."

But at 1.17pm parents received: "Governors cancelled disco due to number of negative comments on Facebook."

One parent had written on Facebook: "My son is not allowed to his Xmas school disco because he hasn't got 60 entries in his reading journal.

"He attends swimming, football and beavers alongside school and family life. He is just six.

"I am well aware of the importance of early years education. This is the cruellest punishment that any of my children have received from a school."

When approached by the Daily Echo for a comment, Chair of Governors Vicky Oliver said: "We made the decision to cancel the party to support staff due to negative and unkind comments on social media." She declined to comment further.