Nursery worker accused of child sex offences

Flower Pots Day Nursery has suspended a member of staff who worked at a site in Kings Langley

A woman who worked at a nursery has been charged with sex offences against children.

Zara Lancashire, 20, of Datchworth Turn in Hemel Hempstead, was arrested on Monday and subsequently charged on Wednesday.

Hertfordshire Police said she is accused of one count of sexual assault, three counts of both making and distributing indecent images of a child, and four counts of publishing an obscene article via a chat application.

The directors of Flower Pots Day Nursery, which operates in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, confirmed to parents that a staff member had been suspended.

Ofsted has suspended the registration of the Kings Langley nursery, where Ms Lancashire worked, for six weeks.

Children have since been relocated to the nursery's Apsley site, where directors say she has never been employed.

The nursery said it has informed the relevant child protection authorities.

In their statement sent to parents, the directors said: "We also want to reassure you that we remain as committed as always to maintaining a safe and trusted environment for your children."

Ms Lancashire appeared at Hatfield Magistrates Court on Wednesday and is scheduled to appear at St Albans Crown Court on 15 October.