A headteacher who provoked controversy when he asked a young child to lick chocolate from a nappy has resigned.

Fergal Roche, head of fee-paying St Andrew's Prep School, Eastbourne, caused outrage among parents when he made a child take part in a game as part of a church service in June.

Mr Roche denied the game had humiliated the child but admitted it had been distasteful.

The service was organised by visitors from Kings Church.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "We can confirm the headmaster has given notice of his intention to leave St Andrew's at the end of the summer term.

"The governors respect his decision and are now making arrangements to find his successor."

Mr Roche was yesterday unavailable for comment and school officials would not confirm whether the resignation was connected to the incident.

Mr Roche joined the school two years ago after taking over from the previous head of 16 years.

St Andrew's, which takes both day pupils and boarders, was founded in 1877 and soon became one of the leading prep schools of the day.