A teacher at a £12k-a-year school quit after suspicions were raised that he took a month off to "care for" a fake girlfriend.

In autumn 2015, Matthew Watts, who worked at Fosse Bank School in Sevenoaks, Kent, took three days off at short notice, and then took off the whole month from November 5 to December 5.

The independent primary school alleged he made up a seriously ill partner to take the leave - and Watts then refused to give any evidence she was real.

After the school launched an investigation into his absences, Watts resigned.

A National College for Teaching and Learning professional conduct panel has now ruled that he had breached standards.

However, despite stating that "the NCTL say that this girlfriend is a fabrication", it still ruled there was no sound evidence the woman, who he claimed died of the illness, was made up.