A HAMPSHIRE school is to be prosecuted over the death of nine-year-old Elizabeth Bee who drowned on a school outing.

After a two-year investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service has decided Boundary Oak school in Fareham and teacher Paul Dove should face charges for breaching health and safety legislation.

The investigation into the drowning of Elizabeth in Portsmouth Harbour in September 1999 was reopened by prosecutors after a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch into the youngster's death revealed a catalogue of safety shortcomings.

The school will face two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act, while Mr Dove, who has since retired from the £6,500 a year school, will face a separate breach of the same act.

A spokesman for the CPS said: "It has been a very thorough and well investigated case and we wouldn't prosecute unless we thought there was a case to answer."

Each of the charges carries a maximum penalty of £20,000 and will be heard at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on March 11.

The news of the prosecution has been welcomed by Elizabeth's mum Lesley.

She said: "This is a big step forward and what we have been waiting to hear.

"We might be able to put the whole tragic episode behind us once this case is over."

Elizabeth Bee died after she became trapped under a 14ft motor boat that capsized in choppy waters on the afternoon of September 16, 1999.

The teacher in charge of the trip to Portsmouth Harbour was Paul Dove who had taken nine children, including Elizabeth's twin sister Victoria on a motorised dory boat.

At the inquest into Elizabeth's death a jury was told how a legal loophole meant that the excursion was not bound by the same safety guidelines as trips conducted by state schools.

Neither Boundary Oak School or Paul Dove were able to comment.