PARENTS have handed a petition to the local education authority demanding the re-instatement of the headteacher of Peel Brow Primary School.

Mr Mike Duce was suspended amid allegations of exam irregularities. Mr Bernard Emblem, headteacher of Millwood Special School in Bury, was suspended in a separate incident.

But support for Mr Duce is growing after he was asked to leave the Ramsbottom school two weeks ago, following the allegations concerning the Standard Attainment Tests (SATs). A petition signed by dozens of parents was presented to Mrs Barbara Jack, chairman of the school governors and the education body carrying out the investigation. Despite assurances from the school, the parents claim that their children's education is suffering because the school is having to function with one less member of staff.

Mrs Gill Wilson, who has two children at the school, told the Bury Times that the majority of parents are behind Mr Duce and want him back at the school, where he has served for more than 20 years.

Under Mr Duce the school has achieved glowing Ofsted reports and good examination results in the SATs. Education chiefs are continuing their investigations into both Mr Duce and Mr Emblem, who was suspended after alleged misuse of computer equipment.

The LEA is investigating the allegations of "management irregularities" concerning school IT equipment.

Mr Emblem has been headteacher of the Fletcher Fold Road school, which caters for 80 youngsters with learning difficulties, since 1991.

It recently received an impressive Ofsted report, praising Mr Emblem's commitment.