A BOLTON primary school teacher accused of indecently assaulting six pupils has been cleared amid highly emotional scenes.

Roars of "Yes!" rang round Bolton Crown Court as the jury forewoman announced not guilty verdicts for all 13 charges faced by 50-year-old Neville Moss. His future will now be decided by governors at the primary school where he was suspended last year.

A statement issued on behalf of the school said: "The past few months have been a difficult time for all concerned with the case. We hope to move forward from this point so that pupils, staff and their families can begin the healing process."

Bolton education authority officials said today that school governors would be "considering the processes available to them" supported by the LEA and the Diocesan Board of Education. At court, grandfather Mr Moss was immediately engulfed by around a dozen ecstatic supporters, many of whom were weeping with joy. He looked close to tears himself as he was repeatedly hugged.

The strain of the trial was evident on Mr Moss's face as a tense courtroom awaited the jury's verdict.

Mr Moss, of Higher Drake Meadow, Westhoughton, had denied 13 charges of indecent assault against girls aged nine to 13, which included allegations of kissing, touching and putting his hand up their skirts.

And after just more than three hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously threw out the charges against him.

Excitement grew as the jury forewoman answered "not guilty" to each count.

During the trial, father-of-five Mr Moss had told the court he was "shocked" when he learned of the allegations against him.

He said: "I felt that somehow I had been betrayed. I was frightened because it is not an experience that any teacher wants to go through."

Mr Moss added that he felt sympathy for his accusers. "I feel sorry for them," he said. "I don't know whether it was a game or what. I don't think they realise the enormity of what they have said."

Yesterday he declined to comment as he left court to celebrate with loved-ones. "I don't want to talk to anybody except my supporters," he said.

The court heard that in his 25 years in teaching there had never previously been a single complaint about his behaviour.

Mr Moss told the court he would sometimes put his arm around a child to comfort them and said girls would sometimes clamber on his knee, but he would "gently push them off."

References from former colleagues described him as an "inspirational teacher committed to his work" and a man of the "utmost integrity and honour."