BRIGHT Tribe has pulled out of its proposed academy takeover of Haydon Bridge High School, after raising concerns over falling pupil numbers and the school's long-term viability.

The Cheshire-based multi-academy trust has been lined up to become main sponsor of the school since 2015, but the academy conversion has been beset by bureaucratic delays.

Despite the hold-up, Bright Tribe staff have been working at the school for over a year.

But Bright Tribe said on Thursday that it could no longer support the school, claiming it had been hindered by an increasing financial deficit since 2015.

A Bright Tribe spokeswoman said: "Progress relating to the transfer of the school has been hindered by the school's significant and increasing financial deficit.

"The school has seen a significant reduction in the number of pupils on roll and there is no sign of this increasing. In fact there has been a steady decline over the last five years.

"The comparatively small number of pupils on roll has had an insurmountable impact on the school's long-term viability.

"The financial position and long-term viability of the school presents a significant financial risk to the trust and its portfolio of other schools, and Bright Tribe therefore concludes that it can no longer continue to support Haydon Bridge High School."

Bright Tribe said the interim executive board, along with headteacher Darren Glover, would "continue driving improvements."

However, the trust was unable to say whether or not Mr Glover, or other Bright Tribe appointed staff, would remain in post in the long term.

The spokeswoman said that news of Bright Tribe's decision had been announced to pupils, parents and staff.