A music teacher from Keighley was unfairly sacked from her job at one of Britain's top schools.

Westville House Preparatory School, in Ilkley, is now facing a compensation bill after losing a case against Barbara Boothroyd, its former director of music.

Mrs Boothroyd handed in her resignation following criticism from headmaster Charles Holloway, who allegedly told her she had let musical standards slip lower than at any time over the past five years.

And in evidence to a tribunal he claimed that an audience at the Wharfedale Music Festival was left "cringing inwardly" because the performance from Westville House pupils was so bad.

But the headmaster himself came under attack after an industrial tribunal in Leeds.

In a written decision following the two day hearing, the tribunal bench unanimously backed Mrs Boothroyd's claim, saying she had been unfairly and constructively dismissed.

And it called into question crucial elements of evidence given by Mr Holloway.

It said: "The tribunal found that Mr Holloway lacked credibility and that he was at times evasive in giving his evidence."

In her evidence Mrs Boothroyd had described how she was totally unprepared for the criticism which was levelled at her when she was called into the headmaster's office last November.

And she said she felt as though she was being treated like a naughty pupil when she was asked to report to him every Monday with planning sheets for the week ahead.

"I felt worthless and betrayed. In those circumstances I felt I had no alternative but to leave," she said.

After the decision, Mrs Boothroyd, of Keighley, who is not working at the moment, said: "Obviously, I am very happy with the way it has gone. I am just glad it is all over now."

The issue of compensation will be decided at a later date.