A LOCAL teacher has been suspended after enraged parents discovered that she had posed for topless pictures which were then published on the internet.

Supply PE teacher and former England netball player Louise Crolla is no longer working at Royton and Crompton School pending a full investigation by both the school and the local authority.

The Advertiser understands that the 26-year-old is represented by modelling agency Supermodel, which is said to have featured her promotional pictures on their website.

Royton and Crompton headteacher Desmond Herlihy would not speak to the Advertiser this week but told the 'News of the World' that he thought Miss Crolla was fit to teach at the Blackshaw Lane school.

He is reported by the national paper as saying: "Miss Crolla is a capable and fully-qualified teacher. She has passed all the relevant checks teachers have to go through."

However, that stance appears to have changed, with a decision now made that she will no longer be used as a supply teacher by the school until the outcome of internal procedures, as set out by the local authority concerning teacher conduct, are reached.

Oldham Council has confirmed that it is in discussions with Mr Herlihy over the allegations.

Nick Hudson, council service director responsible for schools, said: "The supply teacher concerned is not employed by the school. Mr Herlihy has the full support of the local authority in the way he is dealing with this matter, based on the facts available to him at present and also information which is still unfolding.

"Further, through the school's own internal procedures we are fully satisfied that Mr Herlihy has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the normal teaching and learning environment has not been compromised in any way for pupils as they return to school today, nor has their welfare as a result of the allegations."

Chairman of governors at the school and chairman of Shaw and Crompton parish council, Cllr Diane Williamson, added: "As soon as the situation came to light I was fully briefed. I support the headteacher's actions and handling of the situation."

Miss Crolla is believed to have been working at Rochdale's Matthew Moss High School at the time the pictures were taken, sometime between June last year and January.

In her defence Miss Crolla was reported in the 'News of the World' as saying: "I can understand why some people would go ballistic at the idea of a teacher stripping off, but my view is I'm not harming anybody doing it."