POLICE are still waiting to speak to a doctor' who treated his ex-wife's cancer using alternative therapy after he travelled to America following her death four months ago.

Alain Denis Lemaistre could be facing criminal charges after police revealed they were preparing a file to pass on to prosecutors.

However, police cannot complete their investigations until Lemaistre returns from his home country.

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

A police spokesman said: "Investigations into Mr Lemaistre are on-going. We are waiting for him to return from America before we can speak to him. 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.

Fundraising events including a recent charity night at the Irwell Pub in Bacup have been held to help raise money for Carol's three children who are being cared for by family.

An inquest opened by East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor earlier this year 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 that police were carrying out inquiries because Lemaistre was not a doctor and had no formal qualifications.