A FORMER Blackpool Tower boss is under police investigation over allegations of grooming a young boy.
Chris Walne, from Thornton, was installed at Fleetwood’s Marine Hall by Wyre Council in January, but has not been at work since his arrest in June.
The 51-year-old has been released on police bail, pending further investigations.
He was arrested as part of a wide-ranging police inquiry into online child sex activities.
A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said the allegations did not relate to Mr Walne’s workplace.
She added: “As part of a wider operation, a 51-year-old man from Thornton has been arrested on suspicion of being an adult attempting to meet a boy under the age of 16 years of age following grooming.
“He has been released on police bail until September 7, pending further investigations.”
It is understood the child involved in the inquiries is from east Lancashire.
Mr Walne was one of nine people arrested across Lancashire last month as part of a two-day national crackdown on online sex abuse involving children.
Lancashire Police joined other forces to work with CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) and SOCA (Serious and Organised Crime Agency) to tackle criminals making, possessing or distributing indecent images of children.
During the two days of action officers executed warrants at suspects’ addresses and seized computers and other potential evidence.
The other people arrested on a variety of similar offences included a 52-year-old man from Blackpool and residents from Burnley, Barnoldswick and Surrey, all in connection with alleged offences in parts of Lancashire.
Mr Walne, 51, is a former actor and singer who performed in West End musicals and TV dramas before moving into management.
He helped to establish the Blackpool Grand Youth Theatre and went onto enjoy a successful spell as events manager at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
More recently he went into hotel management in Blackpool.
In addition to his role at the Marine Hall, he is also employed as general manager of Thornton Little Theatre.
A spokesman for Wyre Council said: “As this is an ongoing police enquiry, it would not be appropriate to comment.”
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