A FORMER headteacher is being investigated by the fraud squad over alleged irregularities in last year's SATs and 11-plus examinations.

Alan Mercer, 46, has been arrested and released on police bail while the probe, at Maidstone's South Borough Primary School continues.

His arrest came one month after the Local Education Authority, which had been carrying out its own investigation, called in police.

All of the year six pupils' maths, English and science results were declared void after concerns were raised by the Government's Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), which oversees the exams.

Mr Mercer, who has been at the helm of the Stagshaw Close school since September 2001 and was head teacher at the time of the alleged irregularities, was suspended by the LEA and resigned two weeks ago.

SATs results are used to compile the Government's lists of school league tables and are governed by strict procedural guidelines.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said that an investigation into allegations of fraud is now in the hands of the Kent Police Fraud Squad. She added that it was too early to say whether any other exam papers would also be investigated.

Caroline Thomas, the head teacher from St Paul's Primary School, Maidstone, has been appointed acting head teacher of the school.

It is rare for the results of SATs exams, which are taken by all 10 and 11-year-olds in the country, to be declared void. There were only 11 such incidents in England in 2001.

A statement issued by Kent County Council read: "Following an investigation by KCC into the school's Key Stage 2 SATs tests, an investigation is now being undertaken by the police, at the request of the LEA."