Welsh rock star Ian Watkins is to appear before magistrates charged with child sex offences, police have said.

Officers said the Lostprophets vocalist – whose hits include Last Train Home – had been arrested as part of a continuing investigation.

A spokesman said: "A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff magistrates court today.

"The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children.

"In order to assist their investigation, South Wales police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets."

Police added that two women, aged 20 and 24 from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and Bedford respectively, had been charged with "similar offences" and were also due to appear in court.

All three were questioned at Cardiff Bay police station.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said specially trained staff were available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation.

"I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us," he added.

"Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken."

Police are asking anyone with any information concerning the investigation to contact the Operation Globe incident room on 0800 056 0154, or the NSPCC on 0800 389 5347.