A BOLTON teacher has been charged with four assaults.

Fred Barton, a maths and IT teacher at Mount St Joseph's School, Farnworth, was arrested on November 24 following allegations of sexual assaults in the 1970s.

The 55-year-old teacher, who also previously taught at the Deane School and lives in Bolton, was suspended from the school after his arrest.

He was charged by detectives at Astley Bridge Police Station on Friday with four separate counts of indecent assault.

The charges relate to assaults on two people which are alleged to have taken place in the 1970s.

A spokesman for Bolton education authority said: "We can confirm that a teacher at Mount St Joseph's School was placed on extended leave in November following certain allegations which are unrelated to his work within the school.

"We have every confidence that all appropriate policies and procedures are being followed.

"Parents at the school will be kept fully informed of the situation.

"No further statement will be made at this time."