A CAMPAIGN has been launched backing a popular teacher suspended after a video of him allegedly doing the Harlem Shake dance with pupils appeared online.

The mobile phone footage was shot at Caldicot School and the News understands it involves a maths teacher and a Year 11 class.

Although links to the video have been removed, a private Facebook page has been set up in the town to support the teacher asking people to write to school head Mrs Susan Gwyer Roberts.

Comments on the page describe the teacher as "a breath of fresh air" and "the best teacher ever".

Another supporter wrote: "I feel the same about him. He gets the top grades out of his pupils. What does that say about his teaching?

"All the pupils have so much respect for him. This should never have happened all over 10 minutes of fun during break time."

Monmouthshire Council has confirmed a teacher has been suspended following a breach of the school's social media policy.

A spokeswoman for the council said that the suspension is a "neutral" act to allow time for an investigation.

The fact that the teacher has been suspended does not imply he has done anything wrong.

The Harlem Shake has become one of the internet hits of 2013 with hundreds of videos being posted on the web showing people doing the dance.

The videos begin with one person dancing who is then joined by many others doing convulsive moves.

A spokeswoman for Monmouthshire Council said: "A teacher at Caldicot School has been suspended pending an investigation into a breach of the school's social media policy.

"The matter will be fully investigated and appropriate action taken when the results of the investigation are known.

"No student has been suspended for involvement in this specific incident.

"No further comment will be made until the investigation is complete."