AN "exceptional" young PE teacher was sacked for sending four Facebook messages to sixth year pupils.

Nicholas Torsney is fighting for his career in front of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) as a result of breaching the profession's social media policy.

The treatment of the 27-year-old by West Lothian Council sparked unrest at his old school, St Margaret's Academy in Livingston, where almost 50 teachers put their names to a document protesting his sacking.

A teaching union said the case also showed the need for clearer guidance on the use of social media by members of staff.

The messages, two of which were signed "Xx", were sent to sixth year pupils, believed to be over 18, and two of them were sent after the students had completed their exams and effectively left school. The messages related to a prom night and golfing trip.

Mr Torsney, from Livingston, was sacked from St Margaret's as a result of the texts. After appealing, he was reinstated and given a job at another West Lothian school.

However, the case is now being pursued by the GTCS, which could strike Mr Torsney off if the case against him is found proved.

Mr Torsney told a hearing in Edinburgh that he believed the students had left school and, therefore, the ban on social media contact did not apply. He said he did not realise that the GTCS rules apply until the final day of term.

He said: "I am massively remorseful and completely devastated at my mistake. I no longer use any form of social media and I have taken classes on child protection to ensure that I will never come close to repeating the mistake."

Karen Rafferty, 46, who worked alongside Mr Torsney at St Margaret's Academy, told the hearing: "It was blown out of proportion. He was a great teacher and always maintained professional boundaries with the pupils."

Lawyer Alastair Milne, defending the teacher, said: "Mr Torsney is an excellent teacher who has gone beyond what is expected of him in helping his students.

"We are not dealing with someone who is unfit to teach, the evidence shows that his daily contact shows no sign of inappropriate behaviour."

But Gillian Sim, case presenter for the GTCS, said: "Fitness to teach isn't simply about being able to teach well. It's about maintaining professional standards and fulfilling your duty as a role model."

A spokesman for the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association said: "Social media is a very dangerous place for a teacher and we have real concerns about it.

"More needs to be done to set out guidance for what teachers can and cannot do on social media."

The GTCS and West Lothian Council said they would not comment on individual cases.

The hearing continues.