77212-9SWINDON mums have rubbished claims that children don't play outside anymore for fear of getting dirty clothes.

They say the Positively Dirty study, which states that a third of children avoid outdoor games to keep their clothes clean, is rubbish.

The study, which was carried out by professors from the University of Kent, also claims that instead of messing around in the garden, modern children would rather play computer games or watch television indoors.

The suggestion got a big thumbs down from mums at King William Street Primary School, in Old Town.

Joanna Jardine, 37, of Walcot has two boys, Mikey, six, and Lucas, four.

She said: "My boys couldn't care less about getting their clothes dirty.

"They love mucking about outside making mud pies and climbing trees.

"What happens to their clothes is of no consequence to them.

"We don't have a computer so they can't play computer games.

"They make up their own games and they've got great imaginations."

She believes it's the attitudes of parents that can make children clothes' conscious.

"Children's attitudes to their clothes reflects their parents' attitude," she said.

"If parents are always well turned out and wanting to stay smart all the time that will rub off on their children."

Nicola Stevenette, the wife of Christ Church vicar Simon Stevenette and mum of five boys, said that her lads Thomas, 13, Robert, 11, Edward, nine, six-year-old William and Hugo, who will be one on May 2 rarely worry about getting dirty, even if it does make a lot of washing.

Mrs Stevenette, 41, said: "The children don't worry at all about getting dirty at all in their clothes, and they love playing around outside getting mucky.

"I think it's down to the parents as to whether children play outside and get their clothes dirty or not. We think playing outside is part of growing up.

"Nowadays clothes are much more casual, not like when I was young when I would have 'best clothes' and 'play clothes.'

"And they are much easier to clean too, with modern washing machines."

Mother-of-four Sharon Southwood does not believe children should be dressed in smart clothes anyway.

Mrs Southwood, 37, who lives in Old Town and is mum to Carrie, 16, Nikki, 14, James, 11 and Jake, seven, said: "I think parents who put their children in posh clothes to go to school are stupid.

"Children are not fashion conscious they only become fashion conscious if their parents put the idea into their heads.

"And if my children had a choice between playing outside or playing on the computer they would choose to play outside."

Donna Ashley, 31 of Old Town, has two children, Olivia, five and Isaac, two.

She said: "I can't imagine my children being worried about getting their clothes dirty.

"They love playing outside as much as possible.

"I do a load of washing every other day because they are always getting their clothes dirty."

The researchers who worked on the study quizzed 1,275 parents and children on the subject.

Professor Frank Furedi, of the University of Kent, said: "The report identifies a worrying trend which is leading to kids opting out of messy play activities.

"It is concerning as on many levels as it can affect the development of a child's imagination, their creativity and how they interact with others."

Diana Milne