A SUCCESSFUL headteacher targeted by a hate campaign will be back in charge next week when pupils return to school.

And the chairman of governors at Northern Primary School in Bacup Nick Stratton has already received a letter from a parent supporting Tracey Jackson while parents of prospective pupils have also told him they have no qualms about sending their children to the school.

The local education authority has also given its full backing to Mrs Jackson, who has turned the school from one in special measures about three years ago to the best performing Rossendale primary -- and 13th in a league table of 400 Lancashire primary schools.

But she has been subjected to a hate campaign over the last three to four months which have included letters, obscene graffiti on school walls and dog dirt smeared on her car. Police have now been called in to investigate the problems.

Mr Stratton, whose two daughters attend the school, said: "I believe this is the action of possibly one person and it is a personality issue.

"Since Mrs Jackson came there has been a clash of personalities with some parents, but as a governor I am not aware of any problems regarding the running of the school.

"She has done a phenomenal job. She regularly puts in 12 hour days and if she is coming in and doesn't know what is going to be behind the door or on her car it is a very sorry state of affairs. I am disgusted at her treatment."