London, Feb 2 (IANS): A six-year-old schoolboy in Britain was suspended for four days for having a packet of snacks in his lunchbox.

The parents of Riley Pearson have criticised the school after the child was suspended last week.

Senior staff of the primary school decided to keep the boy away from school for continually flouting its healthy eating policy with his choice of cheesy snacks, The Independent reported.

The school, near Slough town, had started a healthy eating plan in the beginning of the term and asked parents to provide a balanced diet and refrain from giving their children chocolate, sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks.

Riley's parents were told by a teacher that they had been "continuously breaking school rules" and were sent a letter saying that the child would be suspended from Thursday till Monday.

Riley’s mother said the school has no right to tell us what we should feed our son.

She said: "Having a balanced diet also includes eating some carbohydrates, sugars and fats."

Riley’s lunch usually consists of a sandwich, yoghurt tube, Dairylea Dunkers cheese spread snack, a packet of Mini Cheddars, and water.

The parents will be attending a meeting with head teacher Tuesday to learn whether their son can return to the school.