PARENTS have defended a school governor who was caught up in controversy following the sacking of a deputy headteacher.

The Northern Echo revealed last month that Sue Whitcombe has been standing in as a supply teacher at Bishopton and Redmarshall School, near Darlington.

It comes less than a year after Mrs Whitcombe, who is also a parent governor of the school, was spoken to by police officers after she sent letters to Geoff Hetherington.

Mr Hetherington, who won his case for unfair dismissal against Bishopton and Redmarshall at a tribunal last year, called in police after receiving the letters, which he claimed contained unfounded allegations. No action was taken by the police, but advice was given to both parties.

Mr Hetherington criticised the school for employing Mrs Whitcombe, but two parents of children being taught at Bishopton and Redmarshall Primary have sprung to her defence.

In a letter to The Northern Echo, Dr Will Elliot and his wife Sandra, say both their children have been taught by Mrs Whitcombe and they are satisfied with her teaching.

They say: "Sue Whitcombe's involvement as a parent, governor and teacher in the school has only ever had one purpose and that is to benefit and enrich the education of all the children at Bishopton and Redmarshall School."