A headteacher and her assistant have been suspended from an Essex primary school over claims they taped a 10-year-old boy's mouth shut.

The allegations against headteacher Hilary Mynott and assistant headteacher Chris Webb are being investigated by governors at Lyons Hall County Primary School in Braintree.

The mother of the boy, who cannot be named, said the teachers also pinned him down when he started misbehaving on a school camping trip.

A spokeswoman for Essex County Council said the authority was working with governors in the matter.

Parents at the school were told of the suspensions three weeks ago in a letter from the chairman of governors.

Andrew Thorndyke wrote: "Following receipt of a complaint made against Mrs Mynott and Mr Webb it has been necessary for me to suspend both members of staff from their post as head teacher and assistant head teacher at the school.

"I must stress this suspension is a neutral act and implies no guilt on the part of Mrs Mynott or Mr Webb but it will enable a full and proper investigation to be carried out in order that the complaint can be considered fully."