CROWN Prosecution lawyers have dropped charges relating to two of three girls involved in the trial of a Bolton headteacher.

Headteacher Phil Buckley, aged 47, was due to appear in court accused of four counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency involving three girls under the age of 13.

But yesterday, his lawyer Paul Schofield told the court that he now only faces charges relating to one.

The CPS has withdrawn charges relating to two of the girls.

Patrick Bann, prosecuting, told magistrates the CPS intended to press charges against Buckley relating to three allegations by one girl between September 1991 and June 1992.

The headteacher, who pleads not guilty to all charges, was not at Bolton Magistrates Court to hear the announcement and will remain on conditional bail.

He is due to appear in court on October 6 when the defence intends to argue that there is no case to answer.