TEACHING staff across the North West are more stressed than ever before, according to new research.

A survey by a Leeds-based risk management group say one in six teachers were "dreading" the start of term.

The research by the Smithson Mason Group showed heavy workloads, staffing levels and disruptive pupils were the main causes of worry.

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) recently revealed that 40 per cent of teachers left the profession before completing three years in the job.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph announced last week that schools in Blackburn and Darwen are drafting in teachers from abroad to fill gaps in posts.