AN Accrington high school teacher is setting off to begin her own King and I adventure.

Lucy Rooke, 24, who has worked at Moorhead for four years was looking for 'something different' when she applied for the role of head of chemistry at Harrow International School in Bangkok.

But although the king of Thailand, formerly Siam, has strong connections with the school and he personally pays for the best student each year to spend time in the London Harrow school, Lucy says there is no chance of a romance!

In the hit musical, turned into a 1956 film starring Yul Bryner and Deborah Kerr, the king and his children's British teacher become romantically attached before he dies of a broken heart when she leaves.

She said: "I haven't actually seen The King and I yet and I but would like to watch it before I go.

"But there is no way of me getting together with the king even though I will be teaching in that school as my long term boyfriend is joining me shortly!"

Lucy who will fly out next month added: "I didn't even realise the calibre of the school when I applied -- I was just looking for something different and abroad but it is a very prestigious school."

This will be Lucy's second teaching post. Originally from Kendal, she moved to Lancashire eight years ago to do her degree in Preston and her teacher training at St Martin's College, Lancaster.

As part of her training she spent time at Moorhead and impressed them so much that she was later taken on as a full time member of staff.

Lucy was also in charge of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at the school and she hopes to be able to continue with this at Harrow during the extra curricular activity sessions.

Children start at the school when they are three and are expected to gain A and A* results for their GCSEs which also means that Lucy will begin to teach A level chemistry for the first time to the best pupils.

She said: "I had a great start at Moorhead and it has served me well. The staff there are fantastic and no matter where I was going I would not find staff that fantastic with such high standards."