A FORMER teacher accused of kissing a pupil in his car has had the charge dropped.

Peter Morse, who is standing trial at Southampton Crown Court, is still facing two similar allegations.

They relate to events alleged to have occurred in 2001, when he was working at Bitterne Park School.

His alleged victim was a teenager at the time.

Morse originally faced three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 18 while in a position of trust.

They included an allegation that he kissed the alleged victim on the lips as she prepared to get out of his car.

He pleaded not guilty to all three counts when his trial opened on Monday.

Today Rose Burns, prosecuting, addressed the jury after reviewing part of the evidence against the defendant.

She said the Crown Prosecution Service was no longer seeking a guilty verdict in relation to count three, which related to the kissing allegation.

Judge Nicholas Rowland directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict.

Shortly afterwards Morse, 50, of Providence Park, Southampton, entered the witness box and began giving his evidence.

He confirmed he was working at Bitterne Park School in 2001. He said he left in July 2003 and quit the teaching profession in 2011.

Morse said he was now a headhunter for a firm of civil engineers.

He will continue giving his evidence this afternoon.