STUDENTS in Ledbury are getting a buzz by smuggling energy drinks into class.

Staff at John Masefield High School (JHMS) are getting a headache, rather than wings, over their ban on Red Bull The high-performing school has outlawed the energy drink and its rivals because of their health effects on teenagers.

But pupils are beating the ban by decanting the drinks into other containers to get their caffeine fix.

Parents were made aware of the antics and the ongoing drinks ban in the last JMHS newsletter.

Wendy Bradbeer, school business manager, said bottles would be confiscated, but admitted some smuggling was not easy to spot.

“It’s just the odd student, but they’ve been pouring them into different bottles to try and sneak them in,” said Mrs Bradbeer.

“We don’t want children to bring them in because we don’t think they’re good, but one or two decide to push the boundary. We think they are detrimental to their health and don’t help with their concentration. We’ve got healthy school status and would encourage our students to drink water, which we provide.”

Mrs Bradbeer said the issue was “not a big problem” and parents would be notified if students were caught with the drinks.

Many health experts insist the drinks should carry a warning to children while Red Bull is banned in several countries.

Dr Stuart Nelson, GP and medical officer, said the side-effects could include anxiety, insomnia and headaches and would have an adverse effect on exam performance.