FORMER Abbeyfield headteacher David Nicholson has denied trying to set up a threesome with a prostitute who he wanted to spank while she was dressed as a schoolgirl.

The Sun newspaper claimed Mr Nicholson, 48, sent the woman explicit messages saying he was keen on her dressing up like a pupil and was looking forward to putting her over his knee.

The father-of-four, who lives in Great Bedwyn with his wife Karina, a parish councillor, is under investigation after apparently using his school email address to contact an £150-an-hour escort through an adult website and arrange a meeting with her and another woman.

When one of them replied telling him she liked dressing up as a schoolgirl and being spanked, he allegedly responded ‘I love this and would be keen.’

Mr Nicholson worked at the Chippenham school for eight years and was headteacher for three years before moving to Costello School in Basingstoke, Hampshire, last September.

The paper claimed he organised a liaison in a hotel room on a night when he was due to be working away from home.

But he was forced to call off the plan when the meeting he was using as a cover was cancelled. He promised to stay in touch with the women to set up a new date, it is claimed.

Governors at the academy said they are investigating the allegations and said they had asked Mr Nicholson to leave the school site immediately after allegations about his conduct surfaced.

It was not clear if he had been officially suspended, but he will apparently not be allowed to return while an investigation is carried out.

Chairman Carol Bode said: “I can assure you all that we are taking matters very seriously.

"We are following all necessary and correct procedures and as previously mentioned a full investigation is being undertaken by the governing body.

“Our first priority at this time is for our students and their continuing education.”

The two prostitutes said they were shocked to discover what he did for a living.

One of the women, aged 20, told The Sun: “He is a head and his fetish is spanking girls dressed in school uniforms, that’s quite scary. In his position he should be trusted.”

The other woman said: “If I had kids I wouldn’t want them to go to that school to be honest. What sort of family man is he? He should set an example.”

Mr Nicholson, who is training to be an Ofsted inspector, denies the claims and said he was mortified by the situation.

He told The Sun: “I’m mortified by the allegations. I am disputing them. Until I know the full details of what is alleged I can’t comment further.”