A teacher who claimed he was forced to retire early because pupils were abusive towards him has lost his unfair dismissal claim against Falkirk Council.

James Campbell, 62, from Falkirk, who earlier claimed disability discrimination on the grounds of his baldness and lost, complained he was unfairly dismissed because he was "forced" to apply for early retirement.

A Glasgow employment tribunal heard that Mr Campbell, an art teacher for 37 years, the last 10 of them at Denny High School, blamed unruly pupils whose behaviour towards him was abusive and unacceptable, for his early retirement decision.

He told how he had tried to impose discipline in his classes, but found it harder to do so over the years. He complained that pupils would talk back to him, ignore what he was saying or make cheeky remarks.

Mr Campbell said he raised his concerns on a number of occasions, writing to the headmaster and the council.

The tribunal heard he had applied for early retirement on three occasions, but decided to continue working. He enjoyed teaching but had become frustrated by what he saw as growing indiscipline.

He finally decided to follow through his early retirement application and his employment terminated with effect from August 19, 2007.

Falkirk Council denied he was constructively and unfairly dismissed as his employment had terminated by mutual agreement through the early retirement programme.