A THEATRE director who was once on the management committee of the Wharf in Devizes, has been remanded in custody after appearing before a judge accused of child sex offences.

At Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday Rhys Young, 48, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing when a timetable was set for the case.

Young, of Dovecote Close, Trowbridge, faces seven charges including indecent touching dating from between 2006 until earlier this year.

No charges were formally put to Young, who appeared in the dock wearing a pink top.

Judge Douglas Field remanded him in custody to Friday June 6 when he is expected to enter his pleas to the allegations.

Young created the Eklypse Musical Theatre in 2000 to provide young people with the chance to perform on stage at venues across the area.

The following year the company won the award for best youth musical in the prestigious Rose Bowl Awards for their first production, The Boyfriend. Young contacted the composer Julian Slade for the company's second production, Salad Days, and after seeing the production he agreed to become Eklypse's patron.

As well as directing other productions like Jesus Christ Superstar, Carousel and West Side Story, Young also designed and built the sets for the shows.

He also did much of the publicity and administration himself.

Young performed on stage with the Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society in 1999 and 2000, and the Devizes Light Operatic Society.

He was also on the management committee of the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, for a while.

Police seized a number of computers from Young's home and are also urging anyone with any information about the inquiry to contact them.