CCTV captured the moment a teacher came face-to-face with a bear that was stuck in a school bin in West Virginia.

Zela Elementary School headteacher, James Marsh, was unlocking the lid on the bin when the bear's head suddenly appeared.

Mr Marsh sprinted away, and the bear jumped out and fled in the opposite direction. 

The footage shows Mr Marsh coming back into view as he tried to catch his breath.

The animal reportedly became stuck after falling down a bin chute whilst looking for food.

It was then unable to free itself until the lid was slightly opened.

A statement from Nicholas County Board of Education on May 1, said: "Who says principals don't deserve hazard pay????"