A FORMER Church of England priest has been charged with sexual offences against a boy.

Ifor Whittaker, who was previously known as Colin Pritchard, has been charged by Sussex Police following offences which are said to have taken place between February 1987 and February 1993.

The 72-year-old of Rectory Road, Sutton, Surrey, is accused of two counts of citing the boy to commit an act of gross indecency, two for gross indecency, two for buggery and one offence of conspiracy with another man - Roy Cotton - to commit acts of indecency.

Whittaker was Vicar of Sedlescombe, near Battle, at the time the offences which are alleged to have taken place in the vicarage when the boy was aged between 12 and 16.

Detectives had the full co-operation from the Diocese of Chichester throughout the investigation.

He is due at Crawley Magistrates' Court on May 24.