Police in Britain have searched a property belonging to Sir Cliff Richard in relation to an alleged sex offence dating back to the 1980s.

Eight plain-clothed police officers in five unmarked cars conducted the search at a property in Berkshire, south-west of London.

No arrests have been made and the 73-year-old was out of the country at the time of the search.

"A search warrant was granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time," a South Yorkshire Police spokesman said.

The ABC understands the allegation dates back to 1985, and relates to an incident that may have happened after a rally held by US preacher Billy Graham in Sheffield.

Sir Cliff, a star since the 1950s who won fame with songs such as Devil Woman and Living Doll, said the allegations were "completely false".

"For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online," he said in a statement.

"The allegations are completely false.

"The police attended my apartment in Berkshire today (Thursday) without notice, except, it would appear, to the press.

"Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded."

Sorry, this video has expired Barbara Miller reports from London

Sir Cliff said he would cooperate fully with the police if they wished to speak to him.

The ABC understands several items were removed from the apartment, but no further details were available.

The allegation is not related to Operation Yewtree - the operation that emanated out of the Jimmy Savile scandal, which saw Rolf Harris arrested and eventually convicted.

Sir Cliff has sold more than 250 million records over his career and has been nicknamed the Peter Pan of Pop for his enduring youthful looks.

A committed Christian who shunned the sex, drugs and alcohol lifestyle, in 1995 he became the first British rock star to be knighted.

Sir Cliff was born Harry Webb in India in 1940, and in in his earlier days was often called Britain's Elvis Presley.

He shot to stardom in 1958 with Move It and followed up in 1959 with Living Doll, while cementing his reputation as a heart-throb with starring roles in film musicals The Young Ones in 1961 and Summer Holiday in 1963.

With his backing group The Shadows, Richard was one of Britain's most successful performers in the pre-Beatles era of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

He has had 14 No 1 singles in Britain and is the only singer to have topped the UK singles chart in five consecutive decades, from the 50s to the 90s.

ABC/wires