A PE teacher has been suspended following his arrest on suspicion of involvement in the trafficking of women for prostitution.

Father-of-two Tim Blake-Bowell, 46, of Querns Road, Canterbury, has not returned to his post at King Ethelbert School in Birchington this week and is on police bail until March 18.

He was arrested, along with his wife, 35-year-old Emma Blake-Bowell, in one of a series of police raids tackling alleged illegal sex trade last month.

Both were questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic females for sexual expolitation, suspected control of prostitutes for gain and alleged money laundering. They were released without being charged.

King Ethelbert School head teacher Carole Bailey said: "The school has taken immediate and decisive action in response to the situation.

"He was suspended on Friday, December 14, 2007, pending a full investigation into the allegations."

Mr Blake-Bowell, who is also the Canterbury Hockey Club veterans' vice-captain said he had been advised to make no comment when contacted this week.

Mr Blake-Bowell joined the school in 1999 and is a former member of Chestfield Cricket Club and Herne Bay Hockey Club.

Police arrested 11 people in raids on 10 properties across Kent in the Operation Vermont raids last month.

Eight women, believed to be from Eastern Europe, were taken into police care and face deportation if it is found they entered the UK illegally.

Officers also recovered thousands of pounds in cash.