A PARAMEDIC and part-time policeman has been charged with raping a 21-year-old woman at his home.

Mark Evans, 24, of Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Accrington, appeared before Hyndburn magistrates yesterday after an alleged incident on Friday night.

The Blackburn-based special constable has a full-time job working for Lancashire Ambulance NHS Trust.

He was remanded on bail after a surety of £5,000 was offered by his brother-in-law.

Conditions are that he must not enter Hyndburn or talk to the aggrieved and has to live with his uncle in Windermere.

Lancashire Police today confirmed Mr Evans had been suspended as a result of the charge.

He has also been suspended from his post as a trainee paramedic by health bosses.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "Mr Evans has been suspended as is procedure in all such matters. He is a special constable based in Eastern Division and works mainly out of Blackburn Police Station."

Peter Cooney, head of human resources at Lancashire Ambulance, said: "Mark Evans has served as a reserve ambulanceman across Lancashire but mainly in East Lancashire. As with all serious allegations of this nature we have advised Mr Evans that he has been suspended from duty. We will keep reviewing the situation."