A teacher at one of Britain's top comprehensive schools has been suspended after a punch up with a pupil at end of term bash.

PE teacher Les Johnson is alleged to have lashed out at a six-former after he made a stinging attack on staff members.

It is claimed Mr Johnson flew into a rage after scathing remarks made in an after dinner speech by The 18-year-old Durham Jonston School pupil.

Guests at the glittering black-tie awards dinner at the exlusive Ramside Hall Hotel were stunned when a brawl broke out.

Hotel staff covering May 23 were forced to call in police as the bash disolved into chaos - but the fight had been broken up by the time they arrived.

One guest said: "I wasn't really listening to the speech. The next thing I knew people were rolling around on the floor.

"There were people screaming and shouting. The whole party turned into absolute chaos. No one could believe it had happened."

Durham police officers plan to speak to those involved in the next few days.

A police spokesman said: "Early indications are that no injuries were caused to either party.

"Others present had separated the two people by the time we arrived.

"Technically, this is being treated as a case of alleged common assault and no arrests have been made.

"The officer in charge of the case will be taking statements in the coming week and a decision will then be taken as to how the case proceeds."

Durham Johnston School attracts the cream of students in the area because of its consistantly high ranking in the league tables.

In 1998 it became the first school in the country to make it into the Top 100.

Mr Johnson has now been suspended pending an inquiry.

School head Richard Bloodworth said: "A police investigation is taking place and a teacher has been suspended on full pay pending the outcome of that investigation."

A spokesman for County Durham's education authority said: "We understand there was an incident between a teacher and a former pupil, which took place outside of school premises.

"A teacher has been suspended by the governors without prejudice.

"We understand police were called to the incident and are making their own inquiries. It is likely the governors will await the result of that inquiry before deciding what action to take."

A spokeswoman at the Ramside Hall Hotel refused to comment.