A BOLTON teacher cleared of indecently assaulting six pupils must wait until the start of the new school year to discover whether he can return to the classroom.

Neville Moss, 50, faced trial at Bolton Crown Court earlier this month accused of 13 charges of indecent assault.

There were scenes of jubilation in the courtroom when the jury returned verdicts of not guilty to all charges.

Primary school teacher Mr Moss, of Higher Drake Meadow, Westhoughton, had denied the allegations from the outset.

Following the trial the BEN revealed Mr Moss's future career now lies in the hands of school governors.

While governors have the power to lift a suspension imposed on Mr Moss after the allegations were made they also have the power to hold a disciplinary hearing to discuss the allegations.

A spokesman for the school told the BEN that no meeting had yet taken place and no decisions would be made until the beginning of the new school term next month.

"We will be waiting for Mr Moss and the chairman of the governors to return before we make arrangements for what is going to happen next," said the spokesman. "At such time we will release a statement through the Local Education Authority to let people know what has happened."