A TEACHER who walked free when claims that he sexually abused a teenage pupil were dropped said today: "I'm going to fight on for justice."

Colin Povey, 41, the suspended head of French at Haslingden High School, wants to challenge the police in the courts about the way they had conducted the case.

And an East Lancashire MP today called for an inquiry into the case and the police inquiry which prompted it.

Mr Povey was found not guilty of three counts of indecent assault and three further indecency charges on the trial judge's direction at Preston Crown Court.

The decision came after the Crown Prosecution Service decided to drop the case.

The teacher, of Narcissus Avenue, Helmshore, who is married with two young children, had denied all the allegations.

He said today that he was unhappy with the way the police had conducted the case.

And he said he now wanted to fight to give teachers more protection against false allegations -- and campaign for changes in how the police dealt with investigations as part of its Operation Nevada, which appealed for child sex abuse victims to come forward.

Similar operations across the country have been accused of "trawling" for cases and Mr Povey said: "They are causing havoc in our schools."

Mr Povey said of the allegations: "It was a fabrication throughout. It was so outrageous."

The charges related to a pupil at Haslingden High between June 1993 and April 1994. Mr Povey was charged in October 2000.

"It's been 16 months of hell," he said.

He added that he could not have survived the experience without the strength and support of his wife Celia.

"I also want to thank the hundreds of friends, colleagues and members of the local community in Rossendale who have helped me."

Mr Povey is angry that his case was allowed to carry on for 16 months when it was clear to those involved that the allegations could in no way be true.

He is due to discuss his future at the school with education bosses.

His solicitor, Alan Wilson, of Manchester-based Thompson's Solicitors, said: "He is particularly concerned about the manner in which these cases are conducted by the police.

"He is consulting with his legal advisers about the possibility of legally challenging some of the decisions made by the police."

Detective Inspector Steve Marston, who heads Operation Nevada in Lancashire, said: "Allegations were made against Mr Povey and we investigated them.

"The file was then sent to the Crown Prosecution Service who recommended that the charges be put.

"After the start of the trial it became clear that the allegations could not be substantiated and that it would be wrong to proceed.

"A not guilty verdict was brought and that has to be right.

"All the allegations we investigate are very serious and the correct way to deal with them is through the court system. It is for judges and juries to decide."

Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn, said: "This is not a matter for MPs. It is principally a matter for the courts and the police."

But MP for Ribble Valley Nigel Evans said: "We have to thoroughly investigate this case. Too often it seems to be assumed that people are guilty and it sticks.

"I will be talking to police to see what can be done to improve procedures."