A psychiatrist and her marine engineer husband have been accused of bringing a 28-year-old 'au pair' to Britain and turning her into a slave.

Minu and Sanjeev Chopra, both 47, have been charged with arranging for the woman to come to the UK with the intention of exploiting her and with holding her in slavery or servitude.

The alleged offences relate to two periods spanning five years.

Accused: Minu and Sanjeev Chopra, both 47, (pictured) have been charged with arranging for the woman to come to the UK with the intention of exploiting her and with holding her in slavery or servitude

Neighbours of the couple, who have an eight-year-old son, said the alleged victim lived with the family as an au pair, according to The Times.

Those who live nearby Mr and Mrs Chopra in the upmarket Bamford area of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, described the couple as 'decent'.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told The Times: 'There must have been some mistake over the paperwork or something like that because I see her around a lot.

'She never seemed in distress and she's been with them for two years in that house. I think she was with them in their previous house as well.

'I have spoken to her many times and she has never made any complaint to me. She never seemed upset or anything like that.'

'Decent' family: Neighbours of the couple (pictured left at the Olympic Torch relay in Manchester in 2012), who have an eight-year-old son, said the alleged victim was an au pair who lived with them at their home (right)

Mr and Mrs Chopra (pictured) each face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison if convicted under the Slavery Act. The couple are expected to appear together at Manchester Minshull St Crown Court on March 11

Police said the alleged victim was removed from Mr and Mrs Chopra's home and is being cared for by partner agencies.

Dr Chopra, who was said by a neighbour to work as a psychiatrist at the Royal Bolton Hospital, appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody.

Her husband was arrested on Saturday and remanded into custody before appearing at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He describes himself as a chief engineer for Herald Marine services - a company which has its headquarters in Mumbai, India.

Dr Chopra, who was said by a neighbour to work as a psychiatrist, appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Saturday. Her husband appeared at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court (pictured) yesterday

Greater Manchester Police said officers attended an address in Bamford on Thursday and arrested a 47-year-old woman on suspicion of slavery, servitude and forced labour offences under the Slavery Act 2015.

She and her husband, of Cranbourne Road, Rochdale, were later charged with holding a person in slavery or servitude between July 31 2015 and February 11 2016.

The couple were also charged with intentionally arranging or facilitating entry into the UK of a person with a view to their exploitation, and knowingly holding another person in slavery or servitude between January 1 2011 and July 31 2015.

The maximum sentence for offences under the Slavery Act 2015 is 14 years in prison.