LOTHIAN education chiefs have launched a full investigation and four

teachers have been suspended after complaints about a school trip to

France.

The eight-day holiday to a watersports camp involved senior pupils

accompanied by staff from Bathgate Academy.

Councillor Elizabeth Maginnis, who chairs the region's education

committee, confirmed yesterday that an initial inquiry had concluded

there was enough substance in complaints to conduct a wide ranging

investigation.

A complaint had been sent to education officials by organisers of the

centre. It was received last week and, after initial inquiries, four

teachers were suspended.

The allegations include complaints about heavy drinking by two staff,

a boy caught smoking cannabis, topless photographs being taken of a

teacher, unsupervised pupils wandering into the camp in the early hours

of the morning, a teacher removing her blouse before dancing at a disco,

and a pupil disappearing for the night with a French companion.

Councillor Maginnis confirmed that senior officials were now

investigating.

She added: ''We are obviously very concerned to get to the bottom of

this matter. But there are well-established disciplinary procedures

which means we cannot discuss the matter without prejudicing the

position of those who have been suspended.''