ROGUE Twitter accounts containing homophobic and obscene language have been set up by fraudsters purporting to be from a school head teacher and former head girl.

Helena Boast, the head teacher of Thomas, Lord Audley School in Colchester, has notified the police after the fake accounts were set up.

The Twitter accounts claim to belong to Ms Boast and former head girl and include their photographs.

However, the accounts - which are littered with swearing, obscenities and offensive language - are nothing to do with the two.

Simon Essex, the school's deputy head teacher, said: "The malicious Twitter accounts were set up at the weekend and were posted under Ms Boast and our former head girl's names.

"However, we want people to know they are absolutely nothing to do with them.

"Both are upset and have found the situation personally distressing.

"The language used is offensive and, in some cases, homophobic.

"At best this is a prank, at worst it is an assault on Ms Boast.

"The school is deeply angry and upset about the situation.

"We want to disassociate ourselves from these accounts and for everyone to know they have nothing to do with the school, Ms Boast or our former head girl."

Mr Essex said the school did not have a Twitter account but it had contacted the social network to complain about the fake accounts and have them removed.

A message was posted on the school website from Brian Palmer, the chairman of the Stanway Federation Academy Trust, of which Thomas, Lord Audley School is a member.

It said: "It has come to our attention that someone has set up a malicious Twitter account in Ms Boast's name.

"Please note this is being dealt with and the police are investigating."