education chiefs in Southampton have asked all schools to reassess their security after the Daily Echo's shocking survey revealed major security inadequacies at many schools.

Echo reporters visited 40 primary, junior and secondary schools in the area. At a third of those schools reporters were able to get into playgrounds and mingle with children.

At some they wandered unchallenged through corridors, around classrooms and into toilets.

A dossier of the Echo's findings was presented by hand on Tuesday to Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.

And yesterday city education chiefs vowed to take action.

A spokesman at Southampton City Council said: "The security of our schools is constantly under scrutiny and since the article was published we have contacted all of our schools, asking them to reassess their security measures and reassure concerned parents.

"We will consider the information in the dossier, as we do any concerns parents or others have about security, and take any appropriate action that we feel necessary.

"We will continue to work with schools to ensure appropriate systems are in place to manage risks posed by intruders, and to keep an appropriate balance between security and maintaining a welcoming environment for pupils, parents and the community."

The investigation has gained support from parents' and teachers' representatives.

Ron Clooney, a Southampton school teacher and national executive member of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Workers, pictured left, welcomed the council's positive response.

He said: "I hope there will now be some positive action.

"As a union we would like to see the entrance to every school being a secure area after the commencement of the school day.

"We would like to see secure perimeters and single entrances that can be secured against intrusion.

"We would also like metal detectors in school. What's wrong with checking somebody over if they look a bit suspicious?

"And if we can't do that we'd like to see security people on school sites. It is all very simple - there's not much to it."