A MIDDLE-aged man has been charged with indecently assaulting a young girl almost 30 years ago.

Leslie Whittaker, 47, of Nelson Square, Burnley, is accused of carrying out the sex crime on the youngster in 1978. The girl was eight at the time of the alleged assault and Whittaker was 20. Police said he was arrested after the girl came forward with claims that she had been assaulted by him.

He was arrested and charged in the summer.

The girl is now in her mid-30s. A police spokesman said: "Mr Whittaker was arrested in June and subsequently charged with an offence of indecent assault after a member of the public came forward and made a complaint against him.

"The allegation dates back a number of years and Mr Whittaker has only recently been charged as the alleged victim has only recently come forward."

Whittaker appeared at Burnley Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded on bail.