Inspectors have found no evidence to support allegations of physical abuse of children at an independent church-run school.

The Christian Deliverance Academy came under the spotlight last month following allegations by parents that pupils were being abused.

It came at the same time as reports that school president the Rev. Stanley Lee, "anointed'' church members' naked bodies with olive oil at his Evangel Tabernacle Church.

However, yesterday Education Minister, the Hon. Jerome Dill, said inspections by two Government departments had uncovered nothing to substantiate the abuse claims.

After the allegations surfaced an investigation was launched by the Children and Family Service and followed up by two inspections last month by the Chief Education Offier, Mr. Dean Furbert.

Last night, Mr. Dill said the school did dish out corporal punishment, but there had been just two cases since January which he said had not been excessive.

"A number of parents contacted the CFS and the department conducted an investigation and determined there was not enough evidence to press charges.

"It then recommended that the Education Department might like to take a look,'' said the Minister. "There is no evidence of any kind of activity which would lead us to have serious reservations and decide to revoke the licence.

"If we get any further complaints we will follow those up. As far as we are concerned, it is the end of the matter now.'' The church shares the same building as the Academy, co-founded by Mr. Lee in 1987. Until recently it had plans for 75 students and renovations were underway, but about half the parents withdrew their children following the allegations.

Mr. Lee said: "I knew from the very beginning that the allegations were not true. That is the reason why I did not make a fuss. I said at the time that the truth would prevail and I did not worry.'' And Academy principal, Mr. Vincent Williams, said: "The school is going on.

It has been a trying situation, but the morale of the students was kept high during this time.

"Bermuda has a problem with discipline and if you do not have discipline in the schools then you will not be able to teach. It is unfortunate discipline has been miscontrued as abuse.''