A BOLTON schoolboy has been expelled for allegedly dealing drugs to other pupils.

The 15-year-old boy who attended Smithills High was thrown out of school after teachers heard claims that he had brought cannabis into school to sell to other youngsters.

His expulsion came after other youngsters tipped-off senior teaching staff at the well-respected school on Smithills Dean Road.

An investigation was launched immediately and within hours the boy had been asked to leave. Letters have also been sent to pupils to whom it is alleged he sold cannabis.

Police are now investigating the allegations. Today headteacher John Lawson, who has only recently taken up the post after having moved from the Chorley area, issued a strong anti-drugs message and praised those pupils who had reported the boy.

He said: "Acting on information received from pupils we confirmed, following a thorough investigation, that a 15-year-old boy had brought a small amount of cannabis into school to sell.

"I took the decision to immediately permanently exclude the boy, a decision subsequently confirmed by the governing body.

"It's a measure of the maturity and commitment to school of our pupils that they informed us quickly and we were able to take the appropriate action.

"As the new head of Smithills my position could not be clearer -- I will always take the severest action against anyone who brings this menace into our school and threatens our young people.

"My duty is to protect all 1,600 of our students and there will be no place at Smithills for any person who threatens the well-being of others.

"In taking the action that I did I was following the recommendations of the DFEE. This situation affects every school in the land and it's been my experience as a head elsewhere for many years that parents expect and support these schools which take this strong line against those who threaten their own children."

Governors have unanimously supported the decision.

And Mr Lawson confirmed he had informed police of the incident, following the teenager's expulsion just before the half term holiday.

The latest incident follows a similar situation at another top Bolton school last year, in which a student from Bolton School Boys' Division was also expelled for drug dealing.