A DOCTOR' who treated his ex-wife's cancer using alternative therapy could be facing criminal charges after police revealed they were preparing a file to pass on to prosecutors.

The Crown Prosecution Service will then decide whether any action should be taken against Alain Denis Lemaistre, who became the centre of a police probe following his estranged wife's death.

A police spokesman today said: "Investigations into Mr Lemaistre are ongoing and a file on the case will be passed on to Crown Prosecutors who will make a decision on any further action."

Detectives began inquiries into Mr 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.

Anyone who calls themselves a chiropractor, or implies that they are one but is not registered with the GCC is breaking the law.

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 her husband.

An inquest opened by East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor last month heard that Carol was treated by her former husband 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 examination 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 Lemaistre was not a doctor and had no formal qualifications.