Treverbyn Community Primary Stenalees near St Austell was being disrupted by children from one class being aggressive towards each other.

So when head Sheila Leigh read that London schools were using massage to ease pupil stress, she decided to try it at her school.

Teachers say it is reducing aggression among primary pupils and is increasing their capacity for learning.

Ms Leigh said: "We had one class that was showing signs of stress and the children were behaving quite aggressively towards each other.

"It wasn't just rough and tumble. It was done with a purpose and some of the children were laughing at the way they were hurting each other."

'Caring environment'

Ms Leigh said she was not worried that some people might think it inappropriate for children to be working so closely with each other.

She said: "I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all.

"We appreciate that there is a big concern about inappropriate touching and we do get permission from parents. It is all done over clothes and above board as it were."

Massage in schools therapist Lynne Hudson, who has been holding the massage lessons, said: "A lot of children these days are stressed - as are a lot of adults.

"I've seen their behaviour has changed. It creates a really nice, caring environment in the classroom."

Several other local schools have also adopted massage therapy.