A headteacher arrested on suspicion of possessing child porn on a school computer was today cleared by police.

Christopher Maultby, who has left his job at St Michael's School in Hadleigh Road, Leigh, will face no further action, officers said.

He was quizzed last November over allegations he was in possession of indecent images of children on a laptop computer.

He had been due to answer police bail today, but Essex Police have now announced they have dropped the investigation. A spokesman stressed Mr Maultby had never been charged and said he had now been released from police bail.

He added: "There was nothing to substantiate the suspicion of the possession of indecent pictures of children."

Mr Maultby was initially suspended from his post at the private school, which charges up to £1,485 a term, after his arrest.

However, he left permanently by mutual consent after discussions with the school governors earlier this year.

Published Wednesday, March 20, 2002