A woman whose hyperactive daughter was expelled for a series of attacks on schoolmates says she needs help to educate her.

Nine-year-old Shannon Jones is described as an intelligent, lively and affectionate child. She also suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which often causes her to react violently and irrationally.

Shannon left Meridian School in Peacehaven after being suspended and was then suspended and permanently excluded from Southdown School in Newhaven in September.

Her mother Gill, 35, has had to give up her job as a care assistant at St Dunstan's, Ovingdean, to care for her daughter.

She has kept Shannon active with a programme of swimming, walking and trips to the library and beach.

Mrs Jones, of Northdown Close, Newhaven, wants her daughter to attend a special school because she finds it difficult to have her educated at home.

But she has been told there is no suitable school in East Sussex.

Shannon was expelled from Southdown after ten days of the autumn term.

On the first day of term she attacked a child, leaving scratches on her neck.

Three days later she was removed from the school playground after throwing sticks and stones at other pupils.

She later kicked a number of children and ran around the class shouting abuse before hitting two children with a ruler.

She was told to stay away from school for four days while urgent talks were held with medical and social services experts.

Shannon was allowed back into the school but then attacked six pupils in a playground fight, leaving them needing treatment in the school sick room.

Head teacher Jane Baker said she had no alternative than to exclude Shannon.

Mrs Jones, a single parent, has a son, Samuel, 15, and daughter, Taylor, seven, who both get on well at school and do not suffer from the disorder.

Shannon said: "I liked some of the children and teachers at my last school but some of the children make me angry. I don't like it when they annoy me.

"When the teachers tell me to do something, I don't do it because I do not like some of the teachers.

"I want to go to another school. My last school was okay but sometimes I got dizzy during the day."

Mrs Jones said: "She needs to go to a special school but there isn't one in East Sussex for her.

"She needs to be watched for 24 hours a day and at present it is me who is on 24-hour call. I can't work because there is nobody to look after her. I do need a break.

"If she was a boy she could go to Cuckmere House Special School in Seaford but because she is a girl there is no school available.

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said: "We are working to resolve this situation. Unfortunately there is not an appropriate school available.

"We will provide an interim package of support until a school place is found."