A TEACHER accused of a number of sex offences will appear at crown court in two weeks time.

Colin Povey, a teacher at Haslingden High School, faces 11 separate charges which are alleged to have taken place in Helmshore in 1992 and 1993.

The languages teacher, 41, who lives at Haslingden, has been charged with four counts of indecent assault, four of gross indecency and three counts of a serious sex offence against the same person, who was under 16 at the time.

He appeared at Preston magistrates' court last Friday.

The case was sent for trial to Preston Crown Court and Mr Povey will appear at a plea and directions hearing on Tuesday, April 17.

Mr Povey has been suspended from his post at the Broadway school, which he has held for a number of years, since the allegations were made before Christmas.