POLICE and social services have discussed allegations that a sex offender was living in YMCA premises on Wearside.

Magistrate Chris Jones, leader in charge at Herrington Burn YMCA, in Sunderland, was suspended over claims the known offender was living with him at his home on the site.

Youth work at the YMCA has been stopped while an investigation is carried out by an independent group into the claims made by the YMCA management committee.

But Detective Inspector John Gilsenan, of Northumbria Police's child protection unit, stressed there was no police investigation at this stage. He said it was an issue police were aware of and that discussions had been held with agencies.

In a statement yesterday, YMCA England said: "We would like to clarify that the YMCA in question is Herrington Burn YMCA, not Sunderland YMCA.