A LETTER of apology is reportedly being sought by former East Lancashire actor William Roache over his rape and sex abuse trial.

But while Lancashire Police has confirmed it had been in correspondence with the Coronation Street star, it is understood no expressions of regret will be forthcoming.

Roache was acquitted of two offences of rape and five charges of indecent assault early last month after a three-week plus trial at Preston Crown Court.

The rape offences were alleged to have occurred in 1967 when the actor lived in Haslingden. He insisted he had never even met his accusers.

In a national newspaper yesterday, friends of Roache said he was considering legal action against Lancashire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service and wants an apology.

But while police confirmed they had written to the actor, it is believed their position has not changed since the conclusion of the trial, when a force spokesman said that the constabulary ‘respected’ the jury’s verdicts but the case had been properly brought.