The headteacher and three members of staff at a Wiltshire special school are being investigated by police after allegations about the way they restrained pupils.

The four have been suspended by governors at Nyland School in Nythe, Swindon, although the chair of the governing body said that suspension was standard procedure and did not implicate the staff.

Police were called after complaints were made about the head, Paul Sunners, and three other members of staff. It was claimed they allegedly failed to follow appropriate restraint methods.

The school deals with challenging pupils of primary school age, between five and 11, all of whom have behavioural and learning difficulties.

The chair of the school's governing body, Rachel Tolhurst, wrote a letter to parents reassuring them that the school would continue to function as normal.

She said suspensions were normal procedure following allegations ag- ainst members of teaching staff, and the allegations were made to the local authority – Swindon borough council.

"It is important to emphasise that the suspension is a normal procedure when allegations of this type are made," she told parents.

"It is not evidence of any wrong actions on their behalf. This is a difficult time for the school, but I have been impressed by the resolve of the staff to do their very best for the children at Nyland," she added.

A spokesman for the LEA said the matter was now also the subject of an investigation by Wiltshire police. "We can confirm that four members of staff have been suspended from Nylands School," she said.

"We cannot comment further for legal reasons, as this is the subject of an investigation by Wiltshire police."