A GRANDMOTHER who mistakenly took the wrong child's hand at a council playscheme sparked a security overhaul and an Ofsted inspection.

The incident happened when the nan went to pick up her granddaughter from Boredom Busters, a scheme for youngsters between the ages of four to 12, in Redhill Park, and briefly held hands with a girl she thought was her grandchild.

The council received one complaint from another parent and reacted by informing every parent in the scheme, calling in Ofsted and asking parents to give a password before collecting their children - moves that have been labelled "a nonsense" by a Bournemouth councillor.

Peter Barry, leisure development manager for the council, said the grandmother did not leave the scheme's designated boundary with the child.

"She also realised that the child wasn't her granddaughter but another child who was wearing yellow and a pink hat, the same as her granddaughter," he said.

"Ofsted, following their inspection, are satisfied with the procedures implemented, and the parents of the child involved saw this as a case of mistaken identity, are satisfied with our procedures, and continue to send their child to Boredom Busters.

"We have apologised for any distress caused and have reassured parents and carers of our safety procedures. Boredom Busters is a very popular activity that is well run - this was a one-off incident caused by mistaken identity."

Cllr David Clutterbuck, who is on the developing communities and tackling crime scrutiny panel, said he thought it was an over-reaction.

"This is a nonsense," he said. "You couldn't make it up. Surely common sense should prevail. I know we have to protect our children, but they want to live in the real world."

One mother, whose young daughter attends the same Boredom Busters scheme, agreed the council's reaction was "probably a bit over the top".

But, she added: "In a way it was probably a good thing the scare happened because the area is now much more safe and secure."