Two men have been charged with sexual offences against children in the 1970s.

Kenneth Francis, 71, of Akasaka in Tokyo, has been charged with 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of committing an act of gross indecency.

The alleged offences involved four boys under the age of 16 and were reported to have been committed between 1972 and 1979.

Francis, a retired teacher, lived and worked in the Chelmsford area at the time.

Malcolm Archer, 66, a musician, of High Street, Odiham in Hampshire, has been summonsed to appear at court to face one charge of indecent assault and one charge of committing an act of gross indecency.

The alleged offences involved one boy under the age of 16 and were reported to have been committed between 1978 and 1979 in the Chelmsford area.

Both men are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on December 12.

Officers began the investigation in April 2017 and enquiries remain ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Siobhan Murphy in the Chelmsford Child Abuse Investigation Team on 101.

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also report information online at www.essex.police.uk