A primary school head teacher has been charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Parents of pupils at St Mary's in Chilham were today called to an urgent meeting to be told news of the allegations Richard Williams is facing.

After his arrest in November he was immediately suspended and banned from entering the school site.

He then resigned with immediate effect following a meeting with the school's chair of governors and Kent County Council's area education officer.

A council spokesman says there is no evidence to suggest any children at the 97-pupil school have been affected by the alleged offences.

She said: "The whole school community was very distressed to hear of Mr Williams’ arrest on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children, and that he had been charged with this offence.

“As soon as the chair of governors was informed of Mr Williams’ arrest, immediate action was taken to safeguard the school’s pupils.

“Mr Williams was suspended, prevented from entering the school site and, following a meeting with the chair of governors and KCC’s area education officer, he resigned with immediate effect.

“The police have found no evidence to suggest that any child in the school or any other school that Mr Williams has been involved in has been affected.

"There have been no parental complaints, pupil disclosures, or staff concerns regarding Mr Williams’ conduct with children.”

A police spokesman added: "Richard Williams, 48, from Alexander Drive in Faversham has been charged with possession of indecent images.

"He is due to appear at Canterbury Magistrates Court on Friday 28 April 2017."