A BOYS' Club chief at the centre of adultery claims has been suspended from duty by his bosses.

Lancashire county council today confirmed that Jack Bottomley, long-serving leader of the 400-member Burnley Boys' Club, has been told to stay away from work pending investigations.

But today a senior official of the club said Mr Bottomley had his full support and he expected him back in his post soon.

The leader's suspension by his county youth and community service employers, comes just days after 36-year-old Burnley woman Caroline Scott was fined £200 by magistrates after pleading guilty to displaying abusive or insulting leaflets at a Boys' Club fun day containing details of an alleged affair she said she had with Mr Bottomley.

Shortly before the Blackburn court hearing the 56-year-old youth boss resigned as a magistrate, after 14 years service on the bench.

Yesterday, Miss Scott, of Harley Street, Burnley, featured in a News of the World report in which she gave details of her alleged sexual exploits with the married grandfather of five.

Boys' Club president Ernest Leah, said senior assistants would be running the thriving club during the leader's absence.

And he gave full backing to Mr Bottomley: "I hope he will be coming back very soon. I don't know about the county council, but I can see no problem."

The former newspaper series managing director added: "Mr Bottomley has my support all the way."

A county council spokesman was unable to say how long their investigations were likely to take.

After last week's court hearing, former probation service worker Miss Scott welcomed Mr Bottomley's resignation as a JP.

"It has been worth every penny," she said after her fine.

Mr Bottomley, who said his resignation as a magistrate was for personal reasons, was not available today to comment on his suspension.

He had helped make the Boys' Club into one of the largest and successful in the North West.

Mr Bottomley spearheaded the move to new and expanding headquarters at Barden and helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for improved facilities.

Membership doubled in recent years and the club - which has both boys and girls members - also has a thriving old boys' section, 80 volunteer helpers and 11 part-time staff.

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