HERE is a teacher guaranteed to make pupils sit up and pay attention.

For York's own Tim Morris has been hailed as the coolest in the country.

Mr Morris, who teaches geography at Fulford School, has been voted "the UK's coolest teacher" by Bliss magazine.

In a nationwide competition, adoring students told the magazine, aimed at teenage girls, why Mr Morris made the grade and sent a snapshot to show just how cool he looked.

Now he is set to find fame within the pages of the magazine, after attending a photo shoot in London.

Mr Morris, 28, who lives in York city centre, said he was delighted with his new title. "It was a combination of embarrassment and excitement when I found out," he said. "All the rest of the teachers have been taking the mick out of me, but I think they're all quite jealous really.

"I think the students thought I was cool because I'm well-travelled, I'm in a band and I've done volunteer work. It must be, because geography's not a cool subject."

Student Kathryn Elliot, 15, who voted for Mr Morris, said: "He's cool because you can have a laugh with him and he's the sort of teacher you can just talk to."

Lyndsay Hogg, 15, said: "He's a great person to talk to and he's been around the world."

PE teacher James Shutt and ICT teacher Helen McIntyre, both of Fulford School, were also nominated.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, March 12, 2004