A MAJOR inquiry into new allegations of sex abuse at a Ribble Valley preparatory school dating back 26 years has been launched by police.

Lancashire police have set up an incident room at police headquarters in Hutton and officers have been drafted in from across county to help with the Operation Whiting inquiry.

A police spokesman said the enquiry would investigate a "number of allegations in respect of offences of indecency with pupils or former pupils at St Mary's Hall from 1972 to the present time."

"As a result of media coverage and further police inquiries, the scope of the investigation is now being expanded.

"There is no evidence to suggest that any of the pupils currently attending St Mary's Hall or Stonyhurst College are currently at any risk," he said.

The inquiry, which is being led by Acting Det Supt Mike Arnold, is expected to last several months.

Head teacher of St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst, Rory O'Brien, 56, was remanded at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on three indecency charges.

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