A POLICE inquiry into allegations that a school teacher assaulted a pupil has been closed.

Officers have decided they will not be taking any action against Russell Birtwistle.

The design and technology teacher at Rivington and Blackrod School in Horwich was removed from his post last May after the claims were made. The allegation of assault is understood to have been made by a boy.

Mr Birtwistle is one of an eight-strong team in the school’s technology department. The exact nature of the alleged incident has not been disclosed.

Bolton Council education chiefs stressed at the time that suspension from duty was a neutral act “for the purpose of conducting an investigation” and did not imply any guilt on the part of the teacher.

Mr Birtwistle remains suspended pending an internal investigation by Bolton Council.

A spokesman for the council said: “As an internal investigation is still on-going into the case, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment further at this stage.”

Rivington and Blackrod School refused to comment on the incident.

A police spokesman confirmed that no further action would be taken against Mr Birtwistle.

The Bolton News made several attempts to contact Mr Birtwistle but he was unavailable for comment.