A six-year-old child was the youngest pupil to be expelled from schools in North Norfolk, according to the latest figures.

Norfolk County Council revealed the number of permanent exclusions doubled between the academic years 2013/14 and 2012/13.

The most common reasons for the expulsions were given as persistent disruptive behaviour, a physical assault against an adult or pupil, and drug and alcohol.

In 2013/14 - the latest figures available - a total of 10 pupils were excluded, including four in primary school. That is double the five registered in 2012/13 when no primary pupils were excluded.

The oldest pupil excluded in 2013/14 was 15-years-old, while the youngest was aged just six. All the pupils excluded in 2012/13 were aged 14.

The figures were released to the North Norfolk News following a Freedom of Information request.

National statistics released earlier this year showed 44 Norfolk primary school pupils were permanently excluded in 2013-14 - up from 28 the previous year.

The increase came despite the national and East of England rates remaining unchanged for the past three years.

James Joyce, chairman of Norfolk County Council's Children's Services Committee, said: 'I don't believe it's fair to assume we have worse behaved children than elsewhere in the country, as safety and behaviour is judged as good or outstanding in the vast majority of Norfolk schools.'