THE Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Alan Morris, aged 63, with 47 sexual offences against pupils at St Ambrose College, Hale Barns, from the 1970s to 1990s.

Morris, of Rivington Road, Hale, was a teacher at the school at the time.

John Dilworth, head of the CPS North West Complex Casework Unit, said: "Following investigations by Greater Manchester Police into allegations that Alan Morris, a former teacher at St Ambrose School, sexually assaulted pupils at the school between 1972 and 1991, I have reviewed all the evidence that they have gathered and have authorised the police to charge him with 41 offences of indecent assault on a male, one charge of outraging public decency and five charges of inciting gross indecency with a child.

“These charges relate to 29 former pupils of the school who were aged between 11 and 17 at the time.

"This decision is made in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to prosecute this case.

“With criminal proceedings now under way it is very important that nothing is placed in the public domain that could prejudice a future trial. For these reasons, we will not be commenting further about the case at this time."

Alan Morris has been bailed to appear at City of Manchester Magistrates Court on July 25.