Veteran Tory councillor Peter Britcliffe, 67, has resigned from mayoral duties to 'clear his name' after police received sex offence allegations against him from three young men

A veteran Tory councillor has resigned from mayoral duties to 'clear his name' after police received 'awful' sex offence allegations against him from three young men.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, the Mayor of Hyndburn, in Lancashire, strongly denied the 'awful' claims and said he had 'every confidence' the investigation will prove his innocence.

Police said the offences were alleged to have been committed in Oswaldtwistle between January and July last year with men understood to be between 18-19.

No arrests or charges have been made against the former Hyndburn Borough Council leader, who represents St Andrews ward in Oswaldtwistle.

Cllr Britcliffe, a 67-year-old father-of-three who also sits on Lancashire County Council, said in a statement: 'I am stepping aside from mayoral duties in the interest of the borough of Hyndburn and the mayoralty.

'I am doing this because of police enquiries into allegations made against me.

'I have fully cooperated with the police, the allegations are not true and I have every confidence that the investigation will prove my innocence.

Police said the offences were alleged to have been committed in Oswaldtwistle between January and July last year with men understood to be between 18-19 (pictured with daughter Sara and son Dominic)

'It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time in order not to prejudice the police enquiries.

'There are no charges, court proceedings and the CPS which considers if charges are to be brought, has not been consulted.

'Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as Mayor of Hyndburn, these awful allegations have put a terrible strain on my family and myself and I will therefore be stepping aside from mayoral duties whilst my name is cleared.

'I am confident that this will be the outcome and the sooner this is done the better.

'Over the last few weeks I have received tremendous support from family and friends and I cannot thank them enough.'

Cllr Britcliffe, from Oswaldtwistle, is a former teacher and was leader of Hyndburn Borough Council between 1999 and May 2011.

He stood twice as the Conservatives' General Election candidate in Hyndburn, in 1997 and 2001, having worked as a parliamentary assistant for former MP Ken Hargreaves.

No arrests or charges have been made against the former Hyndburn Borough Council leader, who represents St Andrews ward in Oswaldtwistle (pictured in 2005)

Hyndburn Council leader, Labour's Miles Parkinson, said the town hall will look to make 'alternative arrangements' with organisers of forthcoming mayoral engagements.

In a statement, Cllr Parkinson said: 'Whilst we are not able to comment on matters relating to any ongoing police investigation, we can confirm that Cllr Britcliffe has agreed to stand aside from his mayoral duties and that he has made a personal statement setting out his reasons for this decision.

'Over the next couple of days the council will be looking at any mayoral engagements that have been booked and getting in touch with the organisers to discuss alternative arrangements.

The councillor said: 'Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as Mayor of Hyndburn, these awful allegations have put a terrible strain on my family and myself and I will therefore be stepping aside from mayoral duties whilst my name is cleared' (with Chris Foote Wood)

'We very much want to continue supporting local organisations and charities at their events, and we are confident that alternative arrangements can be put in place very shortly.'

Lancashire Police said the offences were alleged to have been committed in Oswaldtwistle against three men between January and July 2017.

A police spokesman: 'A 67-year old man from Hyndburn in Lancashire attended a police station by appointment on Monday, January 15, to be interviewed about complaints of sexual offences.

'The man was spoken to at the police station in Lancashire.

'He has not been arrested.'