A former East Lancashire headteacher is to appear at Blackburn Magistrates' Court in connection with allegations of historic sexual offences against teenage girls. 

Mark Bocker has been summonsed to appear at court as part of an investigation into the allegations, which are believed to have taken place in Oswaldtwistle.

Bocker is thought to have been the headteacher of a school in Oswaldtwistle until around 2015.

It is believed he was originally a PE teacher but then moved into working with pupils with special educational needs, focusing on safeguarding. 

Originally thought to be from Scotland, Bocker also worked in pupil referral units (PRU) across the North West throughout his career which spanned more than three decades.

The allegations date between 2007 and 2016 and involve teenage girls.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Mark Bocker, 63, of Gorse Lane, Formby, has been summonsed to appear at court in relation to four allegations of sexual assault.

"He will appear at Blackburn Magistrates' Court at a date to be confirmed."

If you or anybody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence report it here https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/ or call 101.