Cliff Richard's home is in the process of being searched by police in the UK after new allegations of historical sexual abuse.

According to the BBC, police this morning began searching Richard's Berkshire property in relation to an alleged historical sex offence involving a boy under the age of 16 and from the 1980s. The search is not connected to Operation Yewtree, but police have said that the operation is being kept notified of developments.

Richard, born Harry Webb and now a citizen of Barbados, was not at the property at the time and no arrests have been made. A number of items are said to have been removed from the house. South Yorkshire Police released the following statement:

'South Yorkshire Police has gained entry to a property in the Sunningdale area of Berkshire. Officers are currently searching the property. A search warrant was granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time. No one has been arrested and the owner of the property was not present.'

Richard has since issued a statement denying the allegations.