A former music teacher and Brighouse and Rastrick Band Master – who was once named the best brass band player in Britain – has been charged with child sex offences.

Stuart Lingard, 38, faces five counts of an abuse of a position of trust (sexual activity with a child 13-17 years).

Lingard was arrested in March last year over allegations of historic inappropriate sexual behaviour in the Rochdale area where he lives.

The alleged offences are said to have been taken place between 2009 and 2011.

At the time Lingard was working for Rochdale Music Service and taught in schools across the borough.

Lingard, principal cornet player with Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, was named the best musician at the 160th British Open Brass Band Championship in 2012.

The following year Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band appointed him as the first professional business development/band manager in its 132-year history.

He is a former principal cornet of the Yorkshire Building Society Band, a position held for six years and a specialist brass teacher.

Lingard has already appeared before Bury and Rochdale Magistrates and will next appear at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on March 6.