A SCHOOL chaplain has been suspended following an allegation made by a former pupil at a school where he previously taught.

The Rev Ronald Hawkes has been relieved of his duties as chaplain, housemaster and teacher at St Edmund's School, Canterbury, while investigations continue.

The allegation relates to an event said to have occurred in 1985 at a school at which Mr Hawkes was teaching at the time. He has been interviewed by Warwick Police.

A letter has been sent to all parents and guardians of pupils at St Edmund's informing them of the suspension. Head teacher Nicholas Ridley said: "This is, in police terminology, a historical allegation. There are no allegations in relation to current or former St Edmund's pupils.

"The school is working closing with the police and the social services."