A TEACHER who was facing child sex charges has been found dead on Fleetwood beach.

Nigel Foster, 48, originally from Battle, East Sussex, faced a number of charges relating to a 15-year-old girl.

Foster, who was suspended from his job as a head of the design and technology department at Claverham Community College, Battle.

He faced charges of indecently assaulting the girl, as well as having underage sex with her.

He was also charged with taking indecent photographs of a child under 16 and other, associated offences.

His last court appearance saw him bailed to the guest house in Blackpool where he was living. He disappeared 24 hours after the court appearance and his body was discovered a week later.

A post-mortem found that Foster's death was caused by drowning. An inquest was opened and adjourned on Friday.