A TEACHER who was dismissed from a Rossendale high school after a investigation into sex offences has won his job back.

Haslingden High School languages teacher Colin Povey, 41, of Narcissus Avenue, Helmshore, was suspended after his arrest as part of a police investigation in August 2000.

He was dismissed for 'gross misconduct' in July -- six months after he was found not guilty of sexually abusing a teenage pupil.

But the father-of-two has successfully appealed against his sacking. He had faced three counts of indecent assault and a further three indecency charges relating to a teenage pupil at the school between June 1993 and April 1994.

But after a day and a half of evidence at Preston Crown Court in January, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to proceed with the case and the judge ordered the jury to return not guilty verdicts.

Even though he had been cleared of the charges, the Lancashire Education Authority dismissed him from the school at a disciplinary tribunal, held at County Hall when evidence to support "professional concerns" was presented.

A spokesman for the school said today: "The decision was taken to appeal, which was considered by the board of governors at the school, who unanimously resolved that the decision of the disciplinary committee should be quashed.

"A date for Mr Povey to be reinstated has yet to be decided, following the half term holidays."