STAFF at the centre of a computer porn investigation have spoken of their relief after being cleared by police.

The investigation was carried out after officers received an anonymous letter claiming there was pornographic material stored on a computer at Heathlands College, Sandy Lane, Accrington.

After the claim was made last week officers seized a computer from the private school, which has two computer rooms.

Police today confirmed no pornographic material was found on the computer and they would be taking the investigation no further.

But officers are now investigating the source of the letter with a view to possible action for wasting police time.

Vice principal Jacqui Hide said the allegations had caused a lot of worry for staff at the school, which re-opens today after the summer break.

"It's had a devastating effect on staff. They have all been wondering how this could happen and who could do such a thing. It's just vindictive," she said.

"It's either someone with a grudge or someone who wants to get their own back for whatever reason. Some of the staff have come in and asked if their jobs are safe. It's been devastating.

"It's a fantastic relief to know we have been cleared. Everybody knew they wouldn't find anything, but it's just so nice to have it confirmed. We want to put it behind us now.

"These things can give a tremendous amount of negative feedback to parents and it's horrible that someone can do that to you without any real grounds, and you have to wait for the police to go through their procedures to get cleared.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support of parents. We have had e-mails, letters of support, and parents popping in, all saying it was nonsense and we were sure to be cleared.

"But those people who don't know us and may have been thinking of sending their children may think 'we are not going to touch the place with a barge pole'.

"It's been quite an eye-opener. I don't think I have slept since it started. The police came and even though they said there was no problem you think what if someone else decides to say something. "

The private school, opened in 1994 and has 32 pupils, who are generally taught in classes of 14 pupils. Headteacher John Harrison said the school's 27 computers were protected against the use of illegal websites. He said the pupils were never left alone in the classrooms.

Mrs Hide said nobody had withdrawn their pupils, but she worried about the effect on potential parents.

Det Sgt Paul Murphy, of Accrington CID, said: "The computer has been examined by Lancashire Constabulary's computer crime unit and there are no illegal images on it.

"The school has been informed of the result of the inquiry and the police are grateful for their wholehearted co-operation. The school has been completely exonerated. Inquiries are continuing to identify the author of the letter."