A teacher has been banned from the classroom after admitting sending sexually motivated emails to two former pupils.

Gethin Hughes Bridge taught geography and history at Winchcombe School in Gloucestershire until he was dismissed in April last year.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) heard that the 48-year-old sent inappropriate messages to two girls he had previously taught, known as Pupils A and B.

In one email to Pupil A, out of some 800 they exchanged in the latter half of 2017, the teacher professed his love and said he was “mesmerised” by the girl.

“I wish you were here so that as you do start to drift away I can linger on the contours of your face, tuck a stray lock of hair behind your ear and kiss you softly. And you will be loved,” he was also quoted saying.

“I imagined you this morning with your hair spilling over the pillow, watching me, looking for a story. The thought made skin tingle and that deep, soft, gentle shiver ran through me.”

Teacher sent sexually motivated messages

Mr Bridge also sent late-night messages to Pupil B, in which he said he missed her “more than [you] thought possible”.

The report says Mr Bridges said “he was at a low point in his personal life” at the time.

He admitted sending the emails, saying he was “flattered by the attention” from the girls but that he “still [does] not fully understand why [he] behaved in the way [he] did”.

He also agreed that his actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.

The TRA panel said the “flirtatious” emails warranted a ban with no period of review.

“The large volume of emails, some sent very late at night and the sexual motivation were significant factors in forming that opinion,” it said.

“Accordingly, the panel makes a recommendation to the secretary of state that a prohibition order should be imposed with immediate effect.”

Decision-maker Alan Meyrick agreed, and banned Mr Bridge from teaching indefinitely. He was given 28 days to appeal.