Schools probed over online racism

Police officers say they are monitoring the situation

Officials have been investigating whether computers in some Borders schools were used to post racist and homophobic comments on a website.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) launched the probe after dozens of offensive entries were alleged to have been placed on the Wikipedia site.

They were posted between October 2005 and January this year and have now been removed from the main site.

Police have been working with the council to trace those responsible.

The posts included racist references about Iran and Pakistan and anti-gay comments about a television presenter.

Glenn Rodger, SBC's director of education, said: "Now it has been brought to our attention, we will be dealing directly with the schools involved and they in turn will be dealing with the pupils involved."

He said this would begin as soon as the schools return next week.

Lothian and Borders Police said it was monitoring the situation and, if necessary, would deal with the offenders.