Hope Nichols was made to work in a corridor on one occasion and moved to the back of the class.

Mum Sarahjane, of Thoresby Avenue, Gaywood, thought it was a joke at first when the school asked her to change her fabric conditioner brand, but then explained Lenor was the only one which does not irritate Hope's eczema and dermatitis.

She was later sent a letter from Gaywood's Howard Junior School headteacher Gregory Hill demanding a doctor's note to prove Hope has a skin condition.

Mrs Nichols said: "It's just totally bizarre. I've never heard anything like it in my life.

"Hope has been in tears. It's going to get to the stage where she asks me not to use it but it's going to be derogatory to her because her eczema will flare up."

Mr Hill had warned Mrs Nichols that if she did not reduce the amount of softener she uses or swap brands, Hope's class teacher may have to have time off work because of a "severe allergy to perfumes and fragrances".

Mr Hill told the Lynn News: "This is an extremely unusual situation and one that we are working closely with Hope's mother to try to resolve. Hope's class teacher suffers from a severe allergy to the softener used to wash Hope's clothes and on occasions it has made her become very unwell.

"On one such occasion Hope was asked to leave the classroom for a very short period of time.

"However, I would like to reassure Hope and her mother that this will not happen again and staff will be arranged to cover the lesson should the teacher become unwell.

"Hope is a valued pupil at the school, who is currently performing in the school Nativity play and is well liked by her class teacher, fellow pupils and staff.

"We are working hard to try to resolve this issue, as the health and well-being of pupils and staff is a priority to us.

"We will continue to work with Hope's mother to reach the best outcome."