The headteacher of a primary school has sent a letter to parents after the deputy headteacher was charged with facilitating the rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Julie Morris, deputy headteacher at St George's Central CE Primary School in Wigan, was charged with aiding and abetting rape of a girl under 13 and inciting sexual activity with a child under 13.

The 44-year-old, who lives in Hindley, was arrested alongside David Morris, 52, from Eccleston, who is accused of three counts of child rape.

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He is also charged with causing and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual offences.

In a letter to all parents, the Manchester Evening News reports, the school's headteacher Mark Grogan said the allegations were "distressing" and would "come as a shock for everyone within the school community".

He added: "It is important to emphasise, the charges in relation to the alleged offences are not connected with our school."

He urged parents to "be mindful" of the "active court proceedings and police investigation".

The charges are all alleged to have taken place in Merseyside and are not related to Ms Morris' work as a teacher in Wigan, police said.

Both David Morris and Julie Morris appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Monday, September 6.

The pair have been remanded in custody to appear at the crown court in Liverpool on October 4.

A spokesperson from Merseyside Police said it is "working closely with Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Council to ensure that adequate safeguarding measures are in place".

In a statement Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that two people have been charged with child sex offences which are alleged to have taken place in Eccleston.

"David Morris has been charged with three counts of rape of a girl under 13 and causing and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

"Julie Morris has been charged with aiding and abetting the rape of a girl under 13 and inciting sexual activity with a child under 13. Julie Morris is employed in the education sector in Wigan.

"We are working closely with Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Council to ensure that adequate safeguarding measures are in place. The offences for which she has been charged are not related to her employment in Wigan."