A RINGWOOD mum claims the cost of uniforms for pupils at the town's secondary school is too expensive.

The 40-year-old mother who has two children at Ringwood School, says it could lead to financial hardship for some.

She and her husband have two jobs each but, by the time living expenses are met, they cannot afford the £280 needed for the full uniform.

The uniforms are only available from The School Shop in West Moors or on the internet, which makes it difficult for those with no car or computer, she said.

In July, Ringwood School head Christine Edwards told parents new uniforms would have to be worn by the new Year Seven intake from September.

"I know of at least 50 people who said they wrote letters, and parents from the feeder schools also wrote some," said the mum.

Instead of having a pocket badge that can be transferred between blazers as children grow out of them, the new blazer has an embroidered lapel badge.

The cost of a blazer starts from £29, against about £11 for one from a supermarket.

"The expensive blazer will rip just the same as my £11 one," she said.

She is also concerned about the cost of girl's shirts.

"As a working mum I prefer to have five shirts so I can wash once a week. But when the shirts are £9, that's £50.

"You can get a fitted shirt from Asda for £2, which is far more practical."

The school has a New To You shop.

But the mum pointed out there would be no used blazers and blouses yet.

She is not against smartening up pupils, but feels there could be more tolerance.

Miss Edwards said only blazers and girls' shirts had changed.

Cheaper options were not school uniform, but "fashion wear". Regulation blazers were good quality and would last longer.

"It's about making sure that children are looking smart and presenting the right image for the school," she said.

"By having a particular design and style you do get consistency and that's what the parents called for when we did a questionnaire last year."

The uniform was also available from the Get It For Schools website, there are instalment options and "if there's genuine hardship we would always support the parents with uniforms".