A MAYOR has stepped down from office as police investigate allegations of sexual offences made against him.

Long-standing district and county councillor Peter Britcliffe, the Mayor of Hyndburn, said the allegations are not true and has 'every confidence the investigation will prove his innocence’.

Cllr Britcliffe has represented Oswaldtwistle on Lancashire County Council since 2009, after previously having a spell on the County Council from 1989 until 1993.

The former primary school teacher has also been a long-standing member of Hyndburn Council for more than 33 years and is a former leader of the council.

He has also stood as the Conservative candidate to contest the Hyndburn parliamentary seat.

He was installed as mayor in May last year, with his daughter Sara as his Mayoress, and said he had 'thoroughly enjoyed' his time in the role.

Cllr Britcliffe said allegations have put 'a strain on his family and himself' and he is now stepping aside from mayoral duties 'whilst his name is cleared'.

He said in a statement: "I am stepping aside from mayoral duties in the interest of the Borough of Hyndburn and the mayoralty.

"I am doing this because of police enquiries into allegations made against me.

"I have fully cooperated with the police, the allegations are not true and I have every confidence that the investigation will prove my innocence.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time in order not to prejudice the police enquiries.

"It is shocking that people can make allegations and keep their anonymity, when those who are wrongly accused are publicly named.

"There are no charges, court proceedings and the CPS who consider if charges are to be brought have not been consulted.

"Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as mayor of Hyndburn, these awful allegations have put a strain on my family and myself and I will therefore be stepping aside from mayoral duties while my name is cleared.

"I am confident that this will be the outcome and the sooner this is done the better.

"Over the last few weeks I have received tremendous support from family and friends and I cannot thank them enough."

Lancashire County Council said as a 'neutral act' he will not carry out any duties which bring him into contact with under-18s or vulnerable adults, pending the outcome of any investigation.

He served as the leader of the Conservative group on Hyndburn Council for nearly 23 years until May 2015 when he stepped down but continues to sit on the council.

He was the Conservative candidate for Hyndburn in the 1997 and 2001 elections, losing out both times to Labour’s Greg Pope.

He is also chair of the Employment Appeals Committee and Health Scrutiny Committee on Lancashire County Council.

Police said a 67-year-old man was spoken to at a police station by appointment about alleged sexual offences in Oswaldtwistle reported to have taken place between January and July 2017.

A police spokesman said: "A 67-year-old man from Hyndburn in Lancashire attended a police station by appointment on Monday, January 15th to be interviewed about complaints of sexual offences.

“The man was spoken to at the police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.

"He has not been arrested. Inquiries are on-going.

“The offences are alleged to have been committed in Oswaldtwistle between January and July 2017. There are three complainants; men aged 18 and 19 years.

“We take all allegations of a sexual nature extremely seriously and understand how difficult it can be for victims to have the confidence to come forward.

“As a constabulary, we are committed to investigating sexual offences sensitively and recognising the impact that these types of crimes have on victims.

“We would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, or who has information about it, to have the confidence to report it to us knowing that we will take it seriously, deal with it sensitively and investigate it thoroughly.”

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said: “While we are not able to comment on matters relating to any ongoing police investigation, we can confirm that Councillor Britcliffe has today agreed to stand aside from his mayoral duties and that he has made a personal statement setting out his reasons for this decision.

"Over the next couple of days the council will be looking at any mayoral engagements that have been booked and getting in touch with the organisers to discuss alternative arrangements. We very much want to continue supporting local organisations and charities at their events, and we are confident that alternative arrangements can be put in place very shortly.”

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "We are aware of allegations having been made against an elected member of the council.

"As a neutral act, and in line with our safeguarding responsibilities, we will ensure that the councillor does not carry out any duties which would bring them into contact with young people under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults, pending the outcome of any investigation."