A TEACHER from Bolton accused of having sex with a teenage pupil has had the charges against him dropped after police expressed concern about the girl's health.

Alan Dawson, aged 37, a maths teacher, of Hampton Road, Great Lever, was accused of two offences of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 18 while in a position of trust.

But the charges have now been dropped on the grounds that there was no public interest in proceeding.

The documentation and evidence which would have been used in a trial is now to be passed to Blackburn with Darwen Council for an investigation at Pleckgate High School in Blackburn.

Mr Dawson could still face being struck off the General Teaching Council Register following the investigation by the Local Education Authority, a police spokesman confirmed.

Mr Dawson had been ordered to stand trial at Preston Crown Court and the case had been adjourned on previous occasions for the preparation of committal papers.

The decision to discontinue proceedings was made by the Crown Prosecution Service and confirmed to Blackburn magistrates yesterday.

A police spokesman said: "Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, it has been decided that those charges will be dropped in the interests of the health and welfare of the alleged victim." Simon Jones, local secretary for Blackburn with Darwen National Union of Teachers, said: "He could still face dismissal or being struck off the GTC register."

The investigation is expected to take several months.

Mr Dawson and his family today spoke of their relief that the charges had been dropped.

He said: "I would just like to thank all my friends and family for standing by me."

He was now going to take time to decide his future.

His mother, Alice Dawson, said: "It has been a nightmare but we have had tremendous support from everyone."