A former housemaster at Winchester College has been cleared of abusing children.

Peter Metcalfe, of Portal Road, Highcliffe, Winchester, had been facing three charges of cruelty to boys under the age of 16.

Each of the offences were alleged to have been committed while Mr Metcalfe (51) was in charge of Du Boulay's House on the Edgar Road campus between 1991 and 1996.

The allegations were not of a sexual nature and they centred on physical and mental bullying of boys in his care. Mr Metcalfe pleaded not guilty to each of the charges as they were put to him at Winchester Crown Court on Monday

Minutes later, prosecutor, Peter Henry, told Judge Keith Cutler that the Crown was offering no evidence against him.

Mr Henry said the test was "whether there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction".

He added: "There has been some anxiety as to whether this standard could be reached in this case."

He also said that, following further statements from the boys who made the allegations, it had been decided that there was not enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Judge Cutler formally returned not guilty verdicts on Mr Metcalfe.

In a statement issued on behalf of Mr Metcalfe, his barrister, Lisa Wilding, said: "Over the course of the last 10 months since he was first interviewed in relation to these matters, he has resolutely maintained his innocence and he is relieved that today the court has unequivocally confirmed that.

"He will leave court as a man of unblemished character. The last 21 years of his life have been devoted to teaching. Throughout that time, his primary concern has always been the welfare of his pupils."

She added that, had it gone to court, the defence would have called many witnesses who would have testified to his exemplary character.

Formerly discharging him from the court, Judge Cutler said: "You remain a man of good character with no convictions recorded against you."

Mr Metcalfe has been suspended on full pay since April last year.

A spokesman for the £21,000-a-year college said it would be discussing the best way to proceed with Mr Metcalfe.

"The college investigated complaints about Mr Metcalfe in the 1990s. It has held a more recent inquiry in 2003. The police have conducted their own inquiries and today we have heard that a judge at Winchester Crown Court has returned a formal verdict of not guilty. We hope that the matter is now finally closed."