A SEVEN-year-old chess champion has been removed from his school by his parents after he was refused extra time off for training.

Peter and Carol Williams decided to teach their son, Peter, at their home to enable him to practise chess as often as possible.

Staff at St Lawrence Primary in Alton, had refused to grant his parents' request to allow him one day off per week to play chess.

Mr Williams said today that he wanted to give his son every opportunity to master the game for which he has shown an unusual talent since the age of five.

He said that since he introduced Peter to the game, the youngster had gone on to win a series of contests against older children and even adults.

Most recently, Peter claimed £100 prize money for winning the Central London Adult Rapid Play tournament and also recently landed £120 for winning the Coulsdon Adult Long Play championship.

He has also won several junior tournaments, including the mini squad under nine championships last year.

Mr Williams said: "Peter is the best chess player of his age in the country. We just want him to have the very best chance.

"We wanted him to have time to study and, as children of his age learn best in the morning, we wanted to take him out of school one day a week.

"But the school and the local education authority were treating it as truancy. It's a disgrace."

Peter has been taught at home by his father for the past two weeks.

Speaking of his own ambitions, Peter said: "I like the money and the trophies. I want to be the best."

Mr Williams said he expected Peter will remain out of school until he is old enough to go to secondary school where he hopes the system will be more flexible.

He added by this age Peter will be more capable of learning chess in the evenings and would be able to fit the game around school.

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council said both the school and the LEA had checked with the Department for Education and Skills which rules that a child can only have ten days of authorised absence a year.

The spokesman said: "It is a very difficult situation. The father is wanting something that is not possible.

"We have to ensure we are giving Peter every possible opportunity and fulfilling our legal obligations and responsibilities. We are continuing to support the family and the LEA will be there to support them with the curriculum to ensure Peter is being taught adequately at home."