4.30pm 19.3.08 A FORMER North Somerset teacher has been banned from working with children for life.

4.30pm 19.3.08 A FORMER North Somerset teacher has been banned from working with children for life.

Huw Griffiths, who used to work at Priory Community School in Queens Way, Worle, admitted inciting a teenage girl to engage in sexual activity with him when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court last month.

This week, the 40-year-old, formerly of Eden Croft, was handed a three-month community order, told to sign the sex offenders register for five years and forbidden from working with children indefinitely.

Griffiths, who admitted the charge when he appeared on trial in February, committed the offence between November 1, 2006 and January 28 this year.

Jason Taylor, prosecuting, told the court how the incident had had a 'considerable' impact on the girl's family.

Christopher Smyth, defending, said Griffiths had pleaded guilty on the basis that no actual touching took place and that the offence had terminated the former teacher's 17-year career.

Griffiths was immediately suspended from Priory Community School following advice from the police that he was under investigation.