A teacher has suffered a serious back injury while demonstrating trampolining in front of pupils at an after-school club.

David Henderson, 33, a father of four, is now seriously ill in Glasgow's Southern General Hospital where he was admitted for specialist treatment following the incident at the Gordon Schools in Huntley, Aberdeenshire.

The mathematics teacher is understood to have been demonstrating techniques including somersaults on the trampoline in the school gym on Tuesday when it went tragically wrong and he landed on the edge of the trampoline, fell and suffered the serious injury.

Mr Henderson was taken to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin but because of the severity of his injury he was later transferred to the specialist spinal unit in Glasgow.

The six pupils who were watching his demonstration have been offered support to help cope with the ordeal.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive confirmed that they were investigating the incident along with Aberdeenshire Council.

"I understand he was very experienced and the incident happened during a demonstration," the spokesman said. "We visited the school today."

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman added: "We can confirm a member of staff suffered injuries following an accident during a trampolining activity at an after-school club on Tuesday.

"The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and we understand the member of staff is receiving treatment for his injuries.

"Our thoughts are with the teacher and his family as he undergoes treatment."

Mr Henderson is originally from Glasgow and he moved to the village of Kennethmont with his wife, Mairi, and their four children aged from three to nine just before the summer.

Mrs Henderson's parents, Frances and Tommy Tait, also live in the village and they have travelled to Glasgow to be by his side amid fears he may have suffered permanent spinal damage.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "They are a lovely couple.

"We are all so shocked to hear that this could happen to a man in his prime. We would wish him all the best and hope he has a speedy recovery."

Last night Mr Henderson's condition was described as "serious but stable".