A PRIMARY school headteacher hailed for his “strong leadership” has been charged with drink driving.

Accrington’s Spring Hill Community Primary School head Simon Tonge was arrested on suspicion of drink driving following a four-car smash in Edgworth.

Police were called to Blackburn Road at around 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Mr Tonge, 48, was later charged with the offence. No one was injured in the incident.

In an Ofsted inspection, published in March 2018, Mr Tonge was praised for his leadership qualities.

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The report said: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.

“You provide strong leadership and have steered the school successfully through a period of change with resilience.

“Governors and staff support you well and share your high aspirations for teaching and learning.

“There is a happy atmosphere at your school, and the positive ethos is evident in the sense of purpose in all lessons.”

A spokesman for the police said: “We were called at 5.33pm on Wednesday October 9 to reports of a collision on Blackburn Road, Turton.

“It involved four vehicles. Nobody was injured. A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

“Simon Tonge, of Bradshaw Meadows, has been charged with drink driving.”

Paul Heaton, vice-chair of governors at Spring Hill Community Primary School, said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases. However schools have very robust procedures in place to deal with any issues that arise."