TV weatherman, Fred Talbot, has been charged following an investigation into historic sexual abuse.


Talbot, 64, of Langham Road, Bowdon, has been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency.


He is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on February 11.


The charges relate to the sexual abuse of five victims, three of whom were under 16 at the time.


Six counts of indecent assault relate to incidents involving one victim who attended a school in Newcastle at the time.


The other offences relate to three victims who attended Altrincham Grammar School for Boys at the time.


The one gross indecency charge relates to an offence against a former pupil of Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.


The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Greater Manchester Police to charge Talbot with eight offences of indecent assault against three boys under 16, one indecent against a male aged 17 and one offence of gross indecency against a 19-year-old male.


The alleged offences took place between 1968 and 1983.


Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Greater Manchester Police in relation to allegations from five complainants that Fred Talbot sexually assaulted them between the 1960s and 1980s.


“Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Talbot to be charged with 10 sexual offences relating to five complainants, three of whom were under 16 years of age at the time.”


“The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Fred Talbot with these offences.


"This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and our guidance for prosecutors on sexual offences.


“May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Talbot have now commenced. He has a right to a fair trial and it is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could prejudice these proceedings.


“For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.”