A TEACHER has appeared in court charged with having sex with a teenage girl pupil.

Alan Dawson, 37, was suspended from teaching at Pleckgate County High School, Pleckgate Road, Blackburn, following his arrest.

He has been charged with two offences of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 18 while in a position of trust. The offences are alleged to have taken place on October 5 and 7 this year.

Dawson, of Astley Bridge, near Bolton, now faces being struck off the the General Teaching Council register if convicted of the offences.

Headteacher Heather Jamison, declined to comment.

But Peter Morgan, director of education and lifelong learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council, issued a statement through the police following Morgan's arrest.

He said: "This is a police matter and we would not want to issue any comment that may prejudice the police investigation or future court case.

"I can confirm that a man working for the authority has been suspended from his post."

Dawson, who gave his father's address at Hampton Road, Great Leaver, Bolton, was ordered to stand trial at Preston Crown Court and he was remanded on bail until December 9 by Blackburn magistrates for the preparation of committal papers.

Conditions of bail include residence, no contact with the girl and not to enter Blackburn.