William Roache has been charged with five historic offences of indecent assaults on four girls.

The Coronation Street star was arrested yesterday morning after attending a police station in Lancashire by appointment. He was then released on bail so that he could attend Preston Magistrates’ Court today.

William Roache was arrested yesterday morning. 

In a statement the Lancashire Constabulary said: “The offences are alleged to have been committed in the Manchester area between 1965 and 1968 and to involve four girls aged between 12 and 16 years at the time.”

According to reports Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said that the allegations were made after Roache was charged with two counts of rape in May.

He is the world's longest-serving soap star. 

He added: “Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with five offences of indecent assault relating to four girls who were aged between 11 or 12 and 16 at the time that the alleged offences happened.”

Television broadcaster ITV said in a statement that the 81-year-old will not appear on the cobbles until proceedings are concluded.