A PADIHAM school has appointed a new head teacher six months after the last left with health problems.

Andrew McKenzie, currently headteacher at Broad Oak School in Bury, is due to take over the running of Gawthorpe High School in January.

Len Thomas took over the reins at Gawthorpe in 1998 after serving nine years as deputy at the school and said his decision to leave was difficult to accept.

Diabetes and arthritis forced him to make that decision at the end of last year.

At the time of his appointment Mr Thomas said: "I guarantee that we will become a model for other schools in Lancashire."

Two deputy headteachers have been installed at the school in Burnley Road as cover for Mr Thomas.

During his time as headteacher, Mr Thomas saw the development of a £500,000 'sports barn' and technology centre which opened last year. Since Mr Thomas' decision to stand down as head the school has been run by two acting headteachers.

Heather Mullaney and Mike Tull have been at the school since August 2002 and are expected to stay in their posts until Mr McKenzie takes over.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "The headteacher of Parklands High School in Chorley, Jean McGrath, was seconded to Gawthorpe High School in the autumn term last year to help out while the school was looking for a new headteacher.

"She will continue to offer support to the senior members of staff for the remainder of the summer term."

The council spokesman added it was unaware of Mr McKenzie's appointment as they had been unable to contact any of the school's governors.

Mr McKenzie was today unavailable for comment.