A 51-YEAR-OLD teacher at a Blackburn school appeared before the town’s magistrates charged with sexual offences involving pupils.

Martyne Airey, 51, of Parkinson Street, Blackburn, faces 13 allegations of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity.

The prosecution alleges Airey had played a game with children at the school which involved him smelling their feet for sexual gratification. Airey, who indicated not guilty pleas to all charges, was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court, where he will appear on May 6.