A FORMER choir-master at the centre of a sex scandal who quit his job at a cathedral has returned to work -- at a church just 100 yards away.

Bolton-born Ian Ball resigned from Gloucester Cathedral nine months ago amid accusations that he had affairs with young singers in his choir.

The 35-year-old -- investigated by police over sex allegations and admissions of relationships with schoolgirls -- is now playing the organ at a church nearby.

The move has angered his blonde ex-wife, Elizabeth, and senior clergymen who claim Mr Ball has time and again become involved with young people in his charge.

Mrs Ball divorced her husband, who was acting Director of music and Director of the Youth Choir at Gloucester Cathedral, after his turbulent love life was revealed.

The pair had two children together but Mrs Ball was furious to learn her husband had a relationship with mother-of-two Ruth Harper. It later became known that Mr Ball, who was once one of the youngest cathedral organists, had also been having affairs with two teenagers in the choir. Ball admitted the affairs to the Dean of Gloucester Cathedral and quit in February. He had been severely reprimanded over an "inappropriate" relationship with 17-year-old schoolgirl Zanna Brown. The pair were said to have dated for a week until the relative of another choirgirl tipped off the Dean. Mr Ball was also the subject of a complaint made to the Dean, the Very Rev Nicholas Bury, who passed it on to Gloucester Police. Mr Ball is now working as Director of Music for St Mark's and St Mary de Lode. He was hired by Rev John Linton Marshall and St Mary de Lode is 100 yards from the Mr Bury's deanery.

Mr Bury said: "He lost his wife, his house, job and children after the affair came to light and now he is only trying to rebuild his career.

"I understand he will only be playing the organ at the church and I was aware of that appointment. As long as he is not in charge of a choir, I don't see a problem."

He explained: "I wouldn't employ him as a choir-master. He felt and I felt that by seeing a young girl under his charge -- and let's stress that she was above the legal age -- his behaviour was inappropriate.

"It is my concern that if he is in charge of another choir, he could do the same thing again."

Senior churchmen are angry, saying Mr Ball had time and again been involved with youngsters in his charge.

The Rev John Linton Marshall, who has hired Mr Ball at St Mark's and St Mary de Lode, refuses to discuss the appointment.

Former Bolton School pupil Mr Ball went to Oxford University and became a scholar at Manchester Cathedral.

In 1995, he was appointed organist and assistant diocesan director of music at the Catholic Clifton Cathedral in Bristol where he led worship on the famous Rieger pipe organ. In 1998, he became deputy organist and head of music in Gloucester. Miss Brown attended private King's School in Gloucester.

A FORMER choir-master at the centre of a sex scandal who quit his job at a cathedral has returned to work -- at a church just 100 yards away.

Bolton-born Ian Ball resigned from Gloucester Cathedral nine months ago amid accusations that he had affairs with young singers in his choir.

The 35-year-old -- investigated by police over sex allegations and admissions of relationships with schoolgirls -- is now playing the organ at a church nearby. No charges were brought against him.

The move has angered his blonde ex-wife, Elizabeth, and senior clergymen. who claim Mr Ball has time and again become involved with young people in his charge. Mrs Ball divorced her husband, who was acting Director of Music and Director of the Youth Choir at Gloucester Cathedral, after his turbulent love life was revealed.

Mr Ball is now working as Director of Music for St Mark's and St Mary de Lode. He was hired by Rev John Linton Marshall and St Mary de Lode is 100 yards from the Mr Bury's deanery.

Mr Bury said: "He lost his wife, his house, job and children after the affair came to light and now he is only trying to rebuild his career.

"I understand he will only be playing the organ at the church and I was aware of that appointment. As long as he is not in charge of a choir, I don't see a problem. I wouldn't employ him as a choir-master."

He felt and I felt that by seeing a young girl under his charge -- and let's stress that she was above the legal age -- his behaviour was inappropriate."