A teacher whose computer memory stick containing a massive cache of porn was found on a classroom floor by a pupil has been given the green light to carry on teaching.

Joel Gunning, who was head of drama and English at Bungay High School, was found guilty by a teacher disciplinary panel of unacceptable professional conduct which was likely to bring the teaching profession into disrepute - but was not struck off.

The National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) panel that heard the case in Coventry recommended that the finding of unacceptable professional conduct was punishment enough.

NCTL head of teacher misconduct Jayne Millions, who takes the final decision, agreed with them.

The hearing was told that Gunning, who taught at the school for 10 years until June last year, took the pen drive into school with him in August 2016.

It contained folders with around 2,407 pornographic images and/or videos along with documents containing pornographic references and text.

The hearing was told that the material could be deemed 'extreme'. It was later found by a pupil lying on a classroom floor.

The NCTL panel findings say that Gunning admitted the facts and that they amounted to unacceptable behaviour.

In giving her decision, Ms Millions said Gunning's actions 'created a situation in which pupils potentially could have been exposed to pornographic material'.

She continued: 'The panel is satisfied that Mr Gunning's actions represented a serious departure from the personal and professional conduct elements of the Teachers' Standards.'

But she said it appeared to have been an isolated incident and that the evidence suggested Gunning's actions were not deliberate.

He also had a previously good record at the school, where he had worked since qualifying as a teacher.

She said the finding is 'likely to affect Mr Gunning's professional reputation'.

She added that she considered that banning him from the country's classrooms would be 'neither proportionate nor appropriate'.