CHARGES have been dropped against Kerry Katona for allegedly failing to send one of her children to school.

The former Atomic Kitten singer, 38, had been due to stand trial in court on Monday accused of failing to send the child to school between October 31 and November 28 last year.

However, the former I'm A Celebrity winner had the charges dismissed after evidence was presented to the court on Friday.

Katona, of Crowborough in East Sussex, did not appear in person at Brighton Magistrates' Court today but was represented by her defence solicitor Jason La Corbiniere.

Mr La Corbiniere said: "This case was adjourned on the last occasion and set down for trial.

"Following some discussion on Friday the prosecution decided not to proceed with the case."

The court heard that the defence provided "contemporary medical evidence" on Friday.

"Given the fact that that evidence was in fact always there it is a great shame that the evidence was not simply given to the school at the time and we would not be here."

Prosecutor Gareth Jones said: "The medical evidence was provided to me by Mrs Katona's lawyer at lunchtime on Friday.

"We took the decision that the defence of reasonable justification was probably made out.

"It is a little frustrating as I prepared for a whole trial and received that evidence the weekend before the trial.

"This is the second time we got the defence evidence the Friday before the trial."

District Judge Tessa Szagun said: "I have no option other than to dismiss the matter in these circumstances."