A SPORTS teacher has been sacked and questioned by police over an affair with a student.

Chris Bell began the fling with the girl shortly after she started at his sixth-form.

They enjoyed secret dates and went to Spain for a sunshine break with the girl and her friends.

But the 28-year-old was reported to education chiefs after the pair were spotted together on their return.

He was hauled before headteacher David Pearmain and sacked from his £25,000-a-year job as a PE teacher, in Kenton School, Newcastle.

Mr Bell insisted they were in love and appealed against the decision. But that has now been rejected by school governors, who told him his behaviour was a blatant breach of strict guidelines of trust between teachers and pupils.

Mr Bell, who lives in a detached bungalow with his parents in Fawdon, Newcastle, refused to comment on the relationship that has ended his teaching career.

But the girl's recently remarried mother, who lets him stay overnight at weekends at the family home, confirmed the relationship.

Speaking at her home, in Kingston Park, Newcastle, she said: "It's what you could call an inappropriate relationship between a pupil and a teacher.

"But I've just let them get on with it. It is like a love story. She's left now to go to a different college because there are now too many distractions for her to deal with.

"I don't know what else to say and don't want to say too much - what happens is up to them. I don't ask too much about it."

Friends of the couple say Mr Bell has no regrets. The girl is now 18.

Mr Pearmain confirmed a teacher had been dismissed from the 1,900-pupil school.

He added: "It was for an inappropriate relationship with a sixth-form student.

"Although she was a sixth-form student, it is still within the disciplinary procedures and within the framework relating to the employment of teachers."

Northumbria Police said it had investigated the relationship after it was brought to its attention. But a spokeswoman added: "We are not taking any action."

A Newcastle City Council spokeman confirmed a teacher had been sacked from the school for inappropriate behaviour with a student.

Mr Bell declined to comment.