A MAN who treated his ex-wife's cancer using alternative therapy is being investigated by police following her death.

Detectives began inquiries into Alain-Denis Lemaistre after it emerged he had no formal qualifications, despite referring to himself as a doctor.

Mr Lemaistre, 58, runs a clinic in Burnley Road, Todmorden, and calls himself a chiropractor.

But the dad-of-three is not registered with the General Chiropractic Council, which was set up to keep a register of chiropractors and oversee training, professional skills, behaviour and health.

A spokesman for the GCC said: "We have no-one of that name registered with us and if he is calling himself a chiropractor, or implying that he is a chiropractor then he is breaking the law and will be reported to the police."

Mr Lemaistre's ex-wife Carol, 42, of Blackthorn Lane, Bacup, died on January 28 after battling colon and liver cancer for several months.

She had been diagnosed with the disease last year but chose not to have conventional medical treatment, opting instead for alternative medicine administered by Alain-Denis.

Today Mr Lemaistre admitted he had no qualifications but added he had treated more than 1,000 patients over 30 years.

He said: "Under the common law right to practise medicine in the UK anyone can treat a sick person, even if they do not have formal qualifications."

An inquest opened by East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor last week heard Carol was treated by her former husband who had a surgery in Todmorden and died the day after being taken to Burnley General Hospital on January 27.

Coroner's officer PC Bob Wilson told the hearing a post mortem exmaination had been carried out by a Home Office pathologist and that a number of tests had been carried out.

He said police were carrying out inquiries because Lemaster was not a doctor and had no formal qualifications.

PC Wilson told the hearing: "Mrs Lemaistre was disgnosed with cancer last year but opted to be treated by her ex-husband Alain-Denis Lemaistre who gave her alternative therapy.

"She was taken to hospital on Janury 27 and died the day after.

"Mr Lemaistre calls himself a doctor but he has no formal qualifications and inquiries are being made into his status."

Detective Inspector Paul Withers, of Lancashire Police's Public Protection Unit, which investigated the death, confirmed an investigation was underway.

He said: "Mr Lemaistre does not have any formal qualifications and we are investigating that. Our inquiries are ongoing."