Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck has been released without charge after his arrest over allegations of child sex abuse dating back to the 1970s.

North Yorkshire Police said the 74-year-old was arrested in April last year after information was passed to them by Metropolitan Police officers

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed six allegations had been made by six separate individuals.

However, it said it had advised police no further action should be taken.

Mr Tarbuck had been arrested in Kingston-upon-Thames on 26 April and released on bail.

The CPS said a file of evidence, prepared by North Yorkshire Police, had been handed to them in November.

A spokesperson said: "This file of evidence included six allegations made by six separate complainants.

"All the complaints have been reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the CPS legal guidance on rape and sexual offences.

"We have determined that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction in relation to all complaints and have advised North Yorkshire Police that no further action should be taken."

(BBC)