A TEACHER charged with sex offences has appeared in court.

Former Turton High School PE teacher Mark Walsh, aged 28, is accused of sending sexually explicit Christmas cards to pupils.

He faces seven charges of abusing a position of trust by inciting sexual activity, but denies the allegations.

Walsh, of Derwent Road, Farnworth appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Friday.

He was suspended from the Bromley Cross school after being arrested in February last year. He has since resigned. The charges he faces relate to three schools - Turton High School, Failsworth High School in Oldham and Temple Moor High School in Leeds.

Walsh was remanded on conditional bail, which means he must not contact any prosecution witnesses or go within 100 yards of each of the three schools.

He will appear before the court on Friday, April 7, for a pre-trial hearing.