A HEADTEACHER has been sacked after a 10-month investigation into alleged financial irregularities.

Education bosses said Peter Cunningham had been dismissed from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School, in Red Lane, Colne, following the probe, which was launched in January this year.

Letters have been sent to parents this week explaining that Mr Cunningham will not be returning to the role.

Mr Cunningham, of Skipton Old Road, Colne, now has two weeks to decide whether to appeal against the decision.

Yesterday he declined to comment about the reason for his dismissal.

The investigation was carried out by Lancashire’s education authority, the county council and the school’s governors.

Following the decision to sack Mr Cunningham, education bosses said the matter was not being referred to police.

Joe Sweeney, chairman of governors at Sacred Heart, said: "This has been a trying time for parents, staff and governors at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.

"The education and welfare of our children has always been paramount and the governors would like to thank John Robertshaw, acting head, Vince Murray, associate head, Lancashire County Council and Salford Diocese for their help in ensuring minimum disruption for our children.

"The governors would also like to thank the parents for their patience, support and unfailing loyalty to our school during these past few months.

"This has been a challenging period for the school, but now we can move forward with optimism, and appropriately for this time of year, make a new beginning. The children are showing us the way and are preparing for the Christmas festivities and their nativity play.

"Mr Cunningham can lodge an appeal against the decision within 14 days."

The voluntary-aided school receives cash from both the Roman Catholic Church and the county council.

Throughout the probe Mr Cunningham, who taught at the school for 13 years, had been suspended on full pay.

In recent years, he had expanded extra-curricular activities at the school, including opening a large allotment and polytunnel, where children could grow and sell fruit and vegetables.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said he was ‘shocked’ to hear of Mr Cunningham’s dismissal. He added: “I never had any problems with him and any concerns we raised were always sorted out. I think he will be missed.”

Vivary Bridge ward Coun David Clegg, said that Mr Cunningham had done a lot for the school. He added: “He was there for a long time.”