A SOUTH Lakeland teacher has been suspended in connection with what Cumbria County Council has called 'child protection matters.'

Parents of pupils at The Lakes School at Troutbeck Bridge are being informed of the suspension of teacher Chris Bench.

The school's governing body and Cumbria County Council' s Education Service yesterday issued a joint statement, which read: "We can confirm that Chris Bench, a teacher at the Lakes School, Windermere, has been suspended without prejudice in relation to child protection matters and that these issues do not relate to any pupil or adult within the school or children within the wider community.

"The suspension is in accordance with the disciplinary procedures of the county council that cover teaching staff.

"In view of the issues involved it is inappropriate for either the head teacher, governors or county council's education service to make any further comment at this stage."

Cumbria police spokesman Mike Head said a 44-year-old man from the Windermere area had been arrested on suspicion of offences in connection with Internet child pornography.

He added the man had been given bail pending further investigation and was due to appear before police on October 24.

Mr Bench's suspension follows the arrest of Barrow Holy Family Catholic Primary School teacher Jamie Drummond, who appeared before the town's magistrates on Wednesday, charged with making indecent pseudo photographs of a child, contrary to the Child Protection Act.

He was bailed until November 26, when crown court committal proceedings are expected to take place.